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IAPC Awards 2022 Democracy Medal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and The People of Ukraine

International Association of Political Consultants

The International Association of Political Consultants ( IAPC) announced today that it is awarding the prestigious 2022 Democracy Medal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of the Ukrainian people. The citation notes that this award is “in recognition of their crucial fight for democracy against the violent attack on their country by the authoritarian aggression of the Russian government”. The medal is awarded annually by members of the IAPC, which is the global professional body representing election consultants, strategists, and pollsters. This is the second Democracy Medal being awarded to a President of Ukraine. The first was in 2005 to Viktor Yushchenko. IAPC President Matt Klink said the timing of the medal’s awarding had been brought forward from late 2022, at the organization’s annual conference, to show the strongest possible support for the valiant defence of Ukraine and of democratic values by President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine. “President Zelenskyy has rallied world attention to the brutal assault on a sovereign democratic nation with a popularly elected government by a dictatorship that is determined to strike at democracy itself,” Klink said. “Through appearances at the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. Congress, the British, Canadian, Australian and other Parliaments, Zelenskyy has urged democratic countries to support Ukraine’s democratically elected government’s effort to defend itself.” “The world has had a savage reminder of why democracy is something we must protect and cherish. Without it, nations revert to the rule of the gun rather than the will of the people,” Klink added. IAPC Democracy Award Committee Chairperson, Feyi Akindoyeni said, “This is the second year in a row that the Medal has been awarded to those standing up to the Putin autocracy. Last year we recognised the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny." “We hope through our award to draw attention to the heroism of Mr Zelenskyy and the millions of Ukrainian citizens who have mounted an extraordinary defence of their country and the principles of freedom and democracy,” Akindoyeni went on to say. Klink concluded by saying, “We join with all civilised nations in condemning the brute violence and illegality of the Russian state in prosecuting this unlawful and unprovoked invasion, noting this war is opposed by many Russian citizens. We condemn the alleged war crimes and urge their prosecution. We encourage further support by the global community of Ukraine’s stand against tyranny. We express our hope for a peaceful resolution that restores the sovereignty of Ukraine and respects its people’s right to live in a free and democratic country with a government of their own choosing.” Since 1982, IAPC has been a pioneer in awarding an organization or an individual who in the judgment of its membership has worked courageously to foster, promote and sustain the democratic process anywhere in the world through our Democracy Medal, the first international award of its kind. This is the 40th time since 1982 that the Medal has been awarded. Recipients have included individual politicians and leaders, political organizations, and political movements that have contributed to free elections through their leadership and commitment to democratic ideals. Past winners include Hong Kong Umbrella Movement founder Joshua Wong, the Women of Belarus, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, US Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Philippines President Corazon Aquino, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. Established in 1968, The International Association of Political Consultants is committed to fostering democracy and the democratic process throughout the world. Members span a variety of political backgrounds and activities fostering the growing and diverse profession of political consulting as well as the practical aspects of democratic elections. Contact Details IAPC President Matt Klink +1 310-283-6267 matt@klinkcampaigns.com IAPC Vice-President Communications Marcel Wieder +1 416-907-2126 marcel@aurorastrategy.com Company Website https://www.iapc.org

May 03, 2022 11:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Popular Gifting Trends for Mother's Day

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/SdtdOyh8kmE Sunday, May 8 th is Mother’s Day, the perfect time to honor all the moms in your life. According to the National Retail Federation, shoppers planned on spending about $220 on Mother’s Day gifts in 2021. That number is expected to go up this year, due in part to limited COVID restrictions, various consumer deals, and the popularity of online shopping—including free shipping and easy return policies. Online searches have determined a few of this year’s biggest Mother’s Day gifting trends. As expected, flowers, jewelry, and sweets topped the list. However, restaurant-related searches and electronics are seeing record levels of spending this year. A recent Microsoft survey discovered more than 20% of mothers said they would like a spa visit. This is aligned with another shopping trend, which is shopping and supporting local businesses. Industry insiders say Mother’s Day is one of the biggest retail holidays of the year and expect to see more than $25 billion in spending in 2022. Fister has some gifting tips to help make mom’s heart melt this upcoming Mother’s Day. SKIN IS IN: Mother’s Day is less than a week away and Fister say’s it’s always a good idea to think outside of the box. Skincare is one of the first things that comes to her mind for this year’s Mother’s Day. The Beauty Expert says, “I’m really loving the high-performance Korean skincare brand, Sulwhasoo,” pointing out their Bestsellers Trial Kit, which features a few favorites, including their #1 selling First Care Activating Serum. It’s a radiance enhancing, anti-aging serum that also helps boost the absorption of following skincare products used on top.” The First Care Radiance Set is a limited edition 4-piece set of bestsellers that either clears impurities, amplifies hydration, or smooths one’s complexion for an everlasting glow. Finally, Fister says the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Set is a luxury gift set featuring new and improved silky-soft, anti-aging Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream. For more information, go to US.Sulwhasoo.com. Direct link: Bestsellers Trial Kit: https://us.sulwhasoo.com/collections/korean-skin-care-sets/products/bestsellers-trial-kit-1 First Care Radiance Set: https://us.sulwhasoo.com/collections/korean-skin-care-sets/products/first-care-radiance-set Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Set: https://us.sulwhasoo.com/collections/korean-skin-care-sets/products/concentrated-ginseng-renewing-cream-set Social media handles: Facebook: @ sulwhasoo.us Instagram: @ Sulwhasoo.us PRIORITIZE HEALTH & WELL-BEING: Health and well-being have really become a priority over the past two years. The beauty and lifestyle expert says, “Now’s the time to help moms live happier and healthier lives.” As a mom, Fister points out that finding balance is incredibly important. This includes everyday feelings of being run down, stressed out, or in need of a little R&R. Fister’s view on self-care is loud and clear, “I’m loving The Good Patch.” This brand makes plant-powered wearable wellness patches for life’s everyday struggles, such as sleep and stress. Fister highlights that the patches are easy to use. The consumer just peels & sticks the patch to their wrist (or any venous area). The B12 Awake patch gives a user’s day a boost. It’s made with caffeine, green tea, and vitamin B12. Perfect for getting through that afternoon slump. The Relax patch is perfect for unwinding and decompressing on stressful days. It’s made with ashwagandha, passionflower, and rhodiola. “Perfect for dealing with the “joys” of parenting,” Fister jokes. The Dream patch is for getting some quality sleep. It’s made with 10mg melatonin, valerian root, and hops. This is ideal for travel, red-eyes, or even just a good nap. Fister says The Good Patches can be worn all day, delivering a sustained release of ingredients over 8-12 hours. They are available at Target, ULTA, and CVS. For more information, go to TheGoodPatch.com Direct link: https://thegoodpatch.com/ Social media handles: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @thegoodpatch KEEP IT SOFT & STYLISH: The popularity of athleisure in the fashion industry continues to boom. Fister says it will definitely be noticeable this Mother’s Day, adding, “Who doesn’t love stylish leggings, sweatpants, and loungewear? They’ve become staples to our wardrobes… have they not, ladies?!? This year, she says a fun idea is for moms to coordinate with their mini, otherwise known as their daughter. “A brand I love is Spiritual Gangster,” says Fister, adding, “This brand is my go-to for leggings, soft fleece sweats, and fun graphic styles all rooted in optimism which I think we can all use more of right now. They also have a fantastic Mini Me Collection.” The beauty and lifestyle expert says the feminine floral active set has a matching girls legging that are both made from eco-conscious performance fabric— a super soft blend of recycled fibers and cooling yarns. Fister points out, “I also love the girl’s pink sweats! Made to match the women’s style —the girl’s Bridget raglan pull-over sweatshirt made in soft and cozy cotton terry pairs perfectly with the matching sweat pant. It’s a pretty in pink moment moms and daughters will both love.” For more information, go to SpiritualGangster.com Direct link: https://spiritualgangster.com/collections/mini-me-kids Social media handles: Facebook: @ SPIRITUALGANG Instagram: @ SPIRITUALGANGSTER Pinterest: @SPIRITUALGANGSTERLOVE STAY ON TREND: Fister says this year’s Mother’s Day gifting ideas even includes a new fashion trend. “This year, it’s really all about embracing vibrancy and joy—bold prints, micro-textures, and florals. It’s the season for moms to look and feel fabulous,” Fister adds, “From mothers and daughters to sisters and friends, Ramy Brook is a woman-owned business with styles that can be worn by women of all ages.” Ramy’s signature use of silk fabrics, lively colors, and sophisticated silhouettes immediately caught Fister’s eye. She is impressed by the collections intent to be a day-to-night solution in a woman’s wardrobe. She continues, “Another thing that means so much to me, is how the brand’s vision is for women to feel beautiful and confident—knowing they’re sexy, wearing something special, and looking their absolute best. Ramy Brook has timeless styles that truly transcend generations.” For more information, go to RamyBrook.com. Direct link: https://www.ramybrook.com/ Social media handles: Facebook: @ Ramy Brook Instagram: @ ramybook Pinterest: @ ramybrook TikTok: @ ramybrookny Twitter: @ ramybrook Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 03, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Graton Resort & Casino Hires Mario Maesano as Vice President of Marketing

Graton Resort & Casino

Graton Resort and Casino announces the appointment of Mario Maesano as vice president of marketing. Maesano is a veteran gaming executive with 27 years of experience in the industry, having served in senior casino marketing positions for the majority of his career. In his new role, Maesano is responsible for leading the development, implementation and execution of the marketing initiatives, including brand management, database marketing, creative development, traditional and social media, graphic design, public relations, sponsorship, events, promotions, entertainment, Club operations, player development and group sales. “Mario Maesano is a great addition to our team with a demonstrated record of exceeding revenue goals, opening luxury resorts and driving increased market share. We’re happy to welcome him to Graton Resort and Casino,” said Greg Sarris, chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Maesano most recently served as the senior vice president of marketing and slot operations at The Cordish Companies, developers and operators of some of the largest commercial gaming, retail and entertainment destinations in the U.S., including Live! Casino & Hotels, leading their marketing division for 10 years. A native of southern New Jersey, Maesano began his gaming career in 1991 at Resorts International in Atlantic City. Maesano holds a B.S. in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati. MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request further information, interviews or additional images, please contact Brianne Miller at Graton@landispr.com or (650) 575-7727. About Graton Resort & Casino Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California's wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Brianne Miller +1 650-575-7727 graton@landispr.com Company Website https://www.gratonresortcasino.com/

May 03, 2022 06:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Youth Nicotine Vaping is a Mental Health Crisis

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/PzinsT6mmYA Two health crises among youth — a mental health crisis and a vaping epidemic — pose increasing threats to a generation of young people. A recently published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that youth depression and anxiety doubled during the pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic estimates. Meanwhile, youth vaping remains at epidemic levels with nearly 20% of high schoolers vaping nicotine, with nearly 40% of those who use e-cigarettes, doing so on a regular basis. Truth Initiative ®, the organization behind the highly effective truth ® youth smoking, vaping and nicotine public education campaign organized a Moment of Action for Mental Health as part of its latest Breath of Stress Air effort to bust the fantasy that vaping nicotine is a stress reliever. The Moment of Action for Mental Health comes on the heels of Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issuing an advisory on the state of mental health among young people as an “urgent public health crisis,” and coincides with the on-going youth e-cigarette epidemic. According to the latest December 2021 Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF) report, nearly 20% of high school seniors used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. A Truth Initiative survey found that 93% of e-cigarette users reported that vaping negatively affected their lives because it made them feel more stressed, depressed, or anxious, while 90% of those who quit said they felt less stressed, anxious, or depressed. Young people nationwide can text “ ACTION ” to 88709 to participate and join in the movement. Those looking to get help quitting e-cigarettes can get free and anonymous help from This is Quitting from truth. It is a free and anonymous, text-message based quit vaping program designed for young people. Teens and young adults can join for free by texting “ DITCHVAPE ” to 88709. Learn more about Truth Initiative, the Moment of Action for Mental Health and see get resources by visiting truthinitiative.org. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 02, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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PR Expert April White Announces Web Release of ‘Is Living United Worth the Fight?,’ a Talk for TEDxAlmansorParkLive

Trust Relations

Following the TEDxAlmansorParkLive virtual event, public relations industry thought leader and agency owner April White today announced the web release of her official TEDx talk, “Is Living United Worth the Fight?” As a former journalist and the founder of Trust Relations, White believes that we can move beyond the differences that sow division and judgment in society today, with the power of self-reflection. “Is Living United Worth the Fight?” is now available to watch on the Trust Relations website, as well as on the official TEDx Talks YouTube channel. During the talk, which first premiered at the virtual TEDxAlmansorParkLive event on April 23, 2022, White shares her personal journey to live a more united life, after overcoming years of estrangement from her family over ideological differences. “Is Living United Worth the Fight?” also uncovers the steps we can take to reckon with the behaviors we dislike in others, in order to refine our own personal weaknesses and recognize everyone’s inherent value. “I believe that if we can pinpoint what upsets or irritates us in others, we can reclaim it in ourselves and use it as a tool to self-correct and improve,” said White. “We can be the change we want to see in the world and live a more authentic life, both personally and professionally, if we embrace the differences that might otherwise alienate us from others.” “Is Living United Worth the Fight?” taps into the professional philosophy that drives the mission of White’s PR firm, Trust Relations. White coined the term “trust relations'' to replace the traditional concept of public relations, in an effort to promote the importance of authenticity and trust-building exercises as part of any brand building or reputation management campaign. Her talk for TEDxAlmansorParkLive offers actionable steps to recognize dissonance and build authentic connections as business leaders, in our relationships and with ourselves. TEDxAlmansorParkLive is an independently organized event created in the spirit of TED’s mission of “ideas worth spreading.” The TEDx program helps communities, organizations and individuals produce TED-style events at the local level, while TEDxLive events are centered around the live webcast of an official TED Conference, providing a more open and global audience through virtual attendance. To access more information about the TEDxAlmansorParkLive event and to watch April’s talk any time, visit https://trustrelations.agency/landing-page-tedx-talk/. About April White April White is a leading public relations veteran who has nearly 20 years of experience counseling and implementing campaigns on behalf of clients across various industries, from Fortune 100 companies to startups. She has worked at the world’s best PR agencies in New York City, including Weber Shandwick, Edelman and Rubenstein Public Relations before starting her own firm, Trust Relations, and has represented an impressive roster of clients and their executives over the course of her career. White is a former award-winning journalist and current contributor to Forbes, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, PRNews, and PR Daily. She is also the co-host of several industry podcasts including The PR Wine Down, Hyper Busters and the newly debuted Trust Relations: The Podcast. You can connect with White on LinkedIn if you’re interested in booking her as a speaker or podcast guest. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.) About TED TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED conferences, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily, available on all podcast platforms. TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; The Audacious Project, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TED Translators, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED also offers TED@Work, a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, WorkLife with Adam Grant, Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala and How to Be a Better Human. Follow TED on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on LinkedIn. Trust Relations, founded in 2019, is a virtual strategic communications firm that creates nimble and proactive “dream teams” for clients through a national network of the industry’s best and brightest practitioners. "Trust Relations" is a term coined by President and Founder April White to describe a new approach to strategic communications focused on communicating clients' authentic actions, value and goodwill. In technology, trust relationships are an administration and communication link between two domains. In communications, they are a bond of mutual respect between a brand and the people it serves. The firm excels at identifying inspiring ways for clients to show their brand value by identifying supportive proof points and ideating creative activations that demonstrate their unique story and value proposition. For more information, visit https://www.trustrelations.agency/. Contact Details April White +1 323-216-8589 april@trustrelations.agency

May 02, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Shareholder Activist Wants Warren Buffett to 'Save' Capitalism

National Legal & Policy Center

Peter Flaherty, Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), will today present a shareholder proposal to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha. Both positions are held by Warren Buffett. Here is the complete text of Flaherty's planned remarks: I am Peter Flaherty, Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center. Our mission is to promote ethics in public life. Toward that end, we sponsor the Corporate Integrity Project. Our proposal would separate the roles of Chairman and CEO. I’d take it one step further and suggest that Berkshire remove itself from corporate America’s assault on American institutions and culture. I am proud to say that I am a capitalist, but it is obvious to me be that capitalism is failing to deliver for the American people. Is this meeting Woodstock for capitalists, or is it Altamont? Real wages have been falling for years. Wealth disparity has never been greater. And right outside my hotel window here in Omaha is a homeless encampment, an all-too-familiar sight in American cities. We don’t have a free economy; we have bailout capitalism. When small businesses lose money, they go out of business, but when billionaires bet wrong, government steps in to save their fortunes. Money printing by the Federal Reserve and irresponsible, debt-fueled spending by politicians — called fiscal stimulus — have artificially inflated asset values. So those with the most assets benefit the most. Wage earners get ruinous inflation. But even worse than the wealth gap is the values gap. The top 1% now seek to impose their corrupt morality upon the rest of us, whether it is in the form of Critical Race Theory, transgenderism, or the myriad of other “woke” causes that permeate corporate advertising and messaging. Why has corporate America embraced both economic and cultural radicalism? It’s pretty simple. When you have so much money, your fortune is going to come under scrutiny. The best way to insulate yourself and keep anti-business activists off your back is to embrace their causes, even if in the process you undermine the system that produces your wealth. That is what allows Mr. Buffett to advocate higher taxes, even though everyone knows they will fall mainly on the middle class, or bankroll the likes of Hillary Clinton. The Federal Reserve has offered free money to corporate America for over a decade now, creating a class of oligarchs, and greatly enhancing corporate political power. Executives now believe they can tell elected governors and legislators what to do, as we have seen in Indiana, Georgia, Texas and Florida. Last year, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey, a British citizen, sought to kill Georgia’s new voter integrity law by making inaccurate and inflammatory statements about it. He also instituted diversity training whereby white employees were encouraged to “try to be less white.” Despite being Coke’s most celebrated shareholder, Warren Buffett has done nothing about Quincey. In fact, Mr. Buffett jumped on the “America is racist” bandwagon by signing a statement by corporate leaders suggesting that Republicans seek to restrict ballot access based on race. All this did not prevent Coke from sponsoring the Winter Olympics in China, which has never had a free election, and where minority communities are the victims of genocidal policies. And what about Apple? A large part of Apple’s supply chain is in China. The company removes apps from the app store at the request of the Chinese government because they are used by human rights activists. And of course, Apple is the world’s most successful corporate-tax minimizer, famous for routing profits through offshore tax shelters. Over at American Express, the company instituted an “Anti-Racist Initiative” for employees that teaches that capitalism is fundamentally racist and requires workers to engage in an exercise to determine whether they are “oppressor” or “oppressed.” Activism by “woke” CEOs may be reaching its limits. The people of Florida are fighting back against Disney’s Robert Chapek, who not only embraces the view that gender is a form of oppression, but that kindergarteners must be forced to confront it. Mr. Buffett has praised the brand endurance of Disney’s characters and the trust parents place in its content to be safe and appropriate for children. But now the company is adding warnings to Dumbo, Peter Pan and Aladdin about the stereotypes they allegedly portray. And poor Prince Charming has been excised for kissing Snow White QUOTE, UNQUOTE “without consent.” Warren Buffett has yet to address the crisis gripping corporate America, and I fear he never will. Yes, Berkshire may be a holding company, and Mr. Buffett may stay out of the way of managers, but what happens when these executives use their companies to wage a social revolution that most Americans don’t want? Is he not responsible? He can’t have it both ways. In this country, wealth has been admired and even celebrated because our system allows anyone to become rich. But what happens when Americans suddenly find their history and future under attack by Corporate America? The social contract that permits for such affluence will be broken. Mr. Buffett, if you are the face of capitalism, why don’t you do something to save it? Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Peter Flaherty +1 202-329-8357 danrenejr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

April 30, 2022 10:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Velocity Global to play ball in partnership with the Rockies in 2022

Velocity Global

Talent solutions company to sponsor fastest pitch of the game, other brand engagements at Coors Field Velocity Global to serve as the official global workforce solution platform for the Colorado Rockies Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, and the Colorado Rockies baseball franchise today announced a robust partnership for the 2022 season. Velocity Global will serve as the official global workforce solutions platform of the Colorado Rockies. As part of the sponsorship, Velocity Global will present the fastest pitch of the game after the first six innings and will also receive an in-game feature during an inning break or pitching change on the main video board. “Like the Rockies, we’re proud to be a part of what makes Denver a better place to live and raise a family,” stated Velocity Global founder and CEO Ben Wright. “Just as our name implies, our company has grown and works with extreme velocity, so this partnership is truly a home run. Working with the Rockies allows us to further our commitment to the city our company calls home, and we look forward to our employees joining others in the community to enjoy Rockies game days.” “Velocity Global is a cutting-edge tech company that represents the future of the workforce,” said Walker Monfort, Rockies Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “As a Denver-based employer that understands the changing dynamics in today’s world, we’re thrilled to team up with Velocity Global this season.” In addition to the high-speed pitch of the game, Velocity Global will be featured around the stadium in engaging and dynamic physical and digital assets. These assets will prominently display Velocity Global’s branding and messaging around Coors Field (home and visitor bullpens, and concourse televisions framing). As the largest global Employer of Record (EoR) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, Velocity Global manages a client’s talent, providing in-country and in-state compliance, payroll, and benefits for the supported employees. 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. The platform offers a full suite of talent solutions, including global Employer of Record and Contractor Management, to help companies onboard, manage, and pay talent in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States. Thousands of brands rely on Velocity Global to build international 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 Chris McGrath +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

April 29, 2022 10:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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New public relations firm, Bread & Law, launches to help CMOs and CCOs thrive amid a ‘new normal’

Bread & Law

Andrew Graham, a veteran public relations agency executive and the 2021 president of the New York chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, today announced the formation of Bread & Law, a new public relations firm set up to help leading companies and their decision-makers thrive amid a media and business environment increasingly fraught with conflict and tension. Reporting directly to chief marketing officers and chief communication officers, the firm’s core focus is on understanding and using the best practices to effectively serve clients under any circumstance. The firm is industry-agnostic and launches with clients in the finance and technology fields. “Business leaders are facing an avalanche of disinformation and propaganda, which are working in tandem to exhaust both the creators and consumers of news. This is why competition for earned attention is so fierce and why there are so many pressures put on modern CMOs and CCOs,” said Graham. “I believe good-faith efforts to communicate openly and honestly with all stakeholders can defeat the amplified toxicity out there, and the purpose of my new firm is to work with leading companies to do just that.” Beyond that core purpose, the firm will also act as an incubator to test proof-of-concept for new ideas and processes meant to redefine the PR industry’s norms. The first business unit it is incubating in this way is Espresso, a service for thought leadership campaigns with guaranteed results and fixed pricing. “To cut through all the noise, thought leadership material needs to obey actual news values, and to maintain a viable price point, it needs to lean on technology and proprietary data,” Graham said. “That’s the basic process defined in Espresso. It cuts unpredictability and cost uncertainty completely out of the thought leadership process. Based on the available research and data, ours is the best practice for the creation and dissemination of thought leadership material.” About the Agency Bread & Law (est. 2022) is a new public relations firm designed to help companies thrive either despite or because of the erosion of trust in institutions and expertise. Our approach is unique. We work with clients to strategically embrace conflict because it's the dominant news value today. We think and act with realness because so many others in our field don't. And we have absolute expertise in the methods that work in today’s competitive media and business environment because knowing process is what turns good ideas and intentions into outcomes. We consult directly with heads of communication and marketing, doing whatever is necessary to help them realize their agendas, and we’re building a portfolio of lean agencies that complement that core focus. Follow us on Linkedin or reach out at newbiz@breadandlaw.com. Contact Details Bread & Law Andrew Graham andrew@breadandlaw.com

April 29, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Pencil partners with Shopify & Meta to bring AI-generated ads to ecommerce merchants

Pencil

Creative AI company Pencil has partnered with the No. 1 ecommerce platform for businesses Shopify to provide their merchants with the latest innovation in online advertising for ecommerce, AI-generated ads. Rather than spending hours in video editing software or engaging expensive professional agencies, Shopify merchants can now generate original video ads to pitch their businesses in just a few clicks. Furthermore, AI-generated ads trained using 1st-party data from advertisers’ Meta ad accounts via the Meta Marketing API have been shown to consistently double return on ad spend for brands and halve customer acquisition costs. Shopify merchants using Pencil’s AI-generated ads will be able to discover new audiences on Meta’s platforms and grow their businesses faster. Pencil’s AI-generated ads work because they prioritize both creativity and data. When a merchant connects their Shopify store, Pencil analyzes their brand and product information and generates a wide variety of ad ideas to pitch their products. When a merchant then connects their Meta advertising data, Pencil compares the newly generated ideas to what’s worked well in the past. Those ideas similar to past winners are highlighted to the merchant. In this way Pencil helps merchants learn what works while continuously exploring fresh new creative ideas that might resonate with audiences. Rob Carliner, Co-founder/COO of Angela Caglia Skincare commented: “Pencil is by far the best way to create winning ads at scale by combining editing software with AI learning algorithms to effectively eliminate guesswork of making winning ad creatives… as you’re no longer dependent on agencies, Pencil gives you all the tools you need to level the playing field. The interface is easy, the results are impressive. Lots of companies claim to have built a better mousetrap, Pencil has actually done it!” Pencil analyzed over 100 ecommerce campaigns that used AI-generated ads and found the best ads delivered an average return on ad spend (ROAS) 2x that of other ads the brands were running. One brand’s AI-generated ad campaign delivered 7x higher ROAS. Will Hanschell, CEO and co-founder of Pencil commented: “We’re beyond excited to make our creative AI software available to the almost 2,000,000 merchants on Shopify. This direct integration makes creating content for business owners and marketers as simple as clicking a button. When up to 70% of stores’ revenues come from ads, winning with ads is incredibly important. Pencil puts the creative and analytical power of a professional agency into the hands of anyone looking to start and scale a business online.” This partnership announcement comes hot on the heels of Pencil joining Meta’s Business Partners, a program that connects businesses to an ecosystem of advertising specialists. More than 200 million businesses worldwide use Meta’s apps to connect with customers and grow, and over 10 million of them run advertising campaigns each month. Pencil leverages proprietary technology to generate video, derive insights and make predictions, as well as integrating the OpenAI API to generate ad copy. The OpenAI API provides access to GPT-3, one of the world’s most powerful language models. Pencil is among the companies approved to use it commercially. This approval requires strict criteria in AI safety and ethics. About Pencil Pencil is a Creative AI company on a mission to generate unexpected ideas that get results. Pencil generates ads that learn to perform, delivering the return on ad spend that helps brands scale their businesses. Pencil’s AI-generated ads are a new way of making ads that algorithmically optimise for creative novelty, brand relevance and return on advertising spend. It always starts from a human brief and it always involves total human editorial control. Pencil’s Creative AI platform generates ads in minutes and has been shown to double returns for brands. Pencil was founded in 2018 with a team from Google, Meta and Uber and is backed by Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, Wavemaker Partners, Singapore Innovate and Entrepreneur First. For further information visit: https://www.trypencil.com About Shopify Shopify is an all-in-one commerce platform to start, run, and grow a business. Shopify offers online retailers a suite of services that includes payments, marketing, shipping, and customer engagement tools to simplify the process of running an online store for small merchants. For more information visit: https://www.shopify.com About Meta Business Partners Meta Business Partners are companies Meta has vetted for their expertise. They have the experience to help grow advertisers’ business – from running ads, to selling products, to engaging with customers. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/business/marketing-partners Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.trypencil.com/

April 29, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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