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Telos Blockchain Joins Bloktopia’s Metaverse

Telos Foundation

Telos Blockchain (Tlos) has become a virtual tenant of Bloktopia and is already organizing to put that space to good work. With Bloktopia now ready to launch its Alpha, the Telos team will be able to use the space as a virtual meeting room for all its AMAs (ask me anything - meetings). Telos has plenty to talk about regarding its recently launched Ethereum Virtual Machine (tEVM ), its decentralized file storage system ( dStor ), its roadmap and a metaverse environment just seems like the perfect setting for these talks. After all, both the tEVM and dStor can and will be used to power the needs of Web 3.0 based dApps. “Bloktopia’s metaverse is a positive step in Web 3.0 adoption and the Telos team is eager to jump in feet first. This is just the beginning of a multi-trillion-dollar industry, and this is just the first step of our grand metaverse ambitions.” Justin Giudici, Acting CEO at Telos Foundation. Introducing the tEVM: Telos is a 3rd Generation, ESG compliant layer 1 blockchain that has been executing energy-efficient smart contracts uninterrupted since 2018. Every transaction on the Telos Network uses less than 0.000002 kWh of energy per transaction and costs end users zero to near zero in gas fees. Telos can generate blocks / smart contracts for Solidity, Native C++ and Vyper faster than any other chain. The network’s core strength stems from its tight use of C++ and custom Wasm runtime environment. It is super-efficient and is one of the main reasons why Web 3.0 dApps can deliver instant transactions while using Telos. Telos is already capable of sustainably delivering hundreds of millions of almost fee-less transactions per day before any future sharding / rollups. The Metaverse will need this level of capacity to thrive. Telos' current capacity is sufficient to handle the transaction needs of every single existing layer 1 chain, including all their future forecasted growth for the next decade. With any one of the following third-party comparisons, one can clearly see for themselves some of the proven strengths of Telos. Cardano, Solana, Polkadot, Fantom and Telos vs the Clock Telos vs Fantom Telos vs Avalanche vs Binance Smart Chain vs Ethereum *Visit links above For Web 3.0 commerce and entertainment to thrive, dApps need speed, capacity, affordability, energy efficiency, decentralization and even decentralized file storage. P2P file storage is precisely why Telos dStor was developed. dStor is a decentralized peer-to-peer cloud-based file storage system that is fully integrated into the Telos architecture. With dStor, individual users, collectors, digital graphic artists, musicians, filmmakers and gaming companies can store all their digital Web 3.0 content seamlessly and simultaneously. This storage capability is available in all global regions, in a decentralized environment and for prices far lower than conventional services that only have single-region availability. *Developer Alert: Telos Spark Hackathon - 100,000 Tlos for First place! Live now! - Register Here Telos Ignite Grant Program - 12 million over 4 years! Live now! - Register Here The next era of blockchain will be very exciting for both developers and end users alike. Keep an eye out for our virtual meetings on bloktopia! About Telos Telos is a 3rd generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper and Native C++ smart contracts, providing full EVM/Solidity support as well as a fee-less native smart contract layer upon which the EVM is built. Telos performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, decentralization and end-user fairness. The network can sustainably support hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals on a first-in-first-out basis (eliminating frontrunning on the network), offers a fee-less native and low per transaction cost EVM (<$0.10), and a fully decentralized block producer network. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

March 09, 2022 03:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Disney Shareholder Proposal On Human Rights Highlight Company’s Complicity in China Genocide

National Legal & Policy Center

On Wednesday, March 9, National Legal and Policy Center will present a resolution at The Walt Disney Company’s annual shareholder meeting that would require an annual report on the company’s efforts to determine human rights impacts in dealing with foreign entities. The resolution comes in light of what has been Disney’s longtime cozy relationship with the communist government of China, which has been credibly accused of slavery, torture and genocide. “Disney for too long has taken its partnership with this authoritarian regime too lightly, and it’s time for shareholders to receive an accounting of the company’s interactions,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Unfortunately the company’s board of directors opposes our resolution. We will see if our fellow shareholders agree with them.” Chesser will present the resolution at the meeting, and excerpts of his remarks will be posted afterward at NLPC.org. The full text of NLPC’s shareholder resolution follows: Proposal — Human Rights Due Diligence Report Resolved: Shareholders request that, beginning in 2022, Disney report on the process of due diligence, if any, that the Company undertakes in evaluating the human rights impacts of its business and associations with foreign entities, including foreign governments, their agencies, and private sector intermediaries. SUPPORTING STATEMENT Disney became the center of controversy in 2020 when it was reported that the film credits for Mulan offered “special thanks” to eight Chinese government entities in Xinjiang province. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have formally characterized the Chinese government’s policy toward the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang as “genocide.” The credits also expressed thanks to the publicity department of CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomy Region Committee, the Chinese Communist party’s propaganda agency in Xinjiang. According to the September 3, 2020 Wall Street Journal, “Disney shared the script with Chinese authorities,” prior to receiving permission to release the film in China. Mulan’s titular character was played by Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei, who in 2019, expressed support for the police crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. In an October 7, 2020 letter to British legislators, Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, stated: “In any motion picture production, several factors are considered when making decisions about where to produce the film, including: economics, logistics, accessibility, availability of actors, to name just a few.” Notably absent was how a production might impact human rights. If one were to “name just a few” factors, it would seem that human rights would be paramount, especially in parts of the world like Xinjiang Province, China. Information on Disney’s due diligence on human rights, or lack thereof, would allow shareholders to better evaluate business and reputational risks inherent in cooperation with totalitarian and authoritarian regimes that violate human rights. 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 Paul Chesser +1 703-237-1970 pchesser@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 09, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

MyYogaTeacher Launches Official 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program Online

MyYogaTeacher

MyYogaTeacher announces the launch of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program, which will be offered three times each year, and features live instruction by a group of highly-skilled, certified, India-based and -trained instructors. Unlike the self-paced, pre-recorded, video-based packages sold online, which offer digital materials, videos, and only a handful of live sessions led by an instructor, MyYogaTeacher’s courses are 100% live, taking place daily over a period of 95+ days. MyYogaTeacher was named one of “The 6 Best Online Yoga Classes of 2022” by Byrdie. “Our students have a wide range of reasons for pursuing teacher training,” says Jitendra Gupta, the Indian-born CEO of MyYogaTeacher, who co-founded the company with Mexican-American entrepreneur Will Allen, after pursuing yoga to improve his personal physical and mental well-being. “Some definitely have a desire to teach yoga, but others simply want to improve their practice and challenge themselves a bit further by expanding their yogic knowledge and taking their physical practice to the next level.” The program is open to students of all levels. The Yoga Alliance-certified teacher training program features 6 highly-qualified MyYogaTeacher instructors, and is led by Rohan Shroff, who earned a Masters in Science in Yoga from SVYASA University in Bangalore and has over 1300 hours of yoga teacher training from well-known and respected institutions in India. Rohan has graduated over 500 students from online and in-person teacher training programs, including over 100 MyYogaTeacher students, and he also teaches Pranayama, Meditation, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yoga Sutras, and Methodology, at MyYogaTeacher. Besides live instruction on a variety of topics–yoga history, theory, anatomy and physiology–in addition to asana practice, pranayama, chanting, meditation, yoga sutras, and more, the program includes a 150-page e-book, recordings of the classes so students can return to each session and review, plus a community setting that keeps students engaged, motivated and energize. They can also live chat with instructors (Bodhi Abishek Singh, Gomati Woli, Stuti Asher, Umesh Balavaradaraju, Bharath Ram) and fellow students. “What’s great is that your investment in teacher training is nowhere close to the cost you will incur by traveling to India during our post-Covid era,” says Gupta. “And we offer students a 14-day free trial so if they are not happy with the coursework, they can cancel.” The first round of this YTT program runs from March 5 to May 28, and the program will be offered 3 times each year. The next round will take place in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the program and featured instructors here. About MyYogaTeacher MyYogaTeacher is reconnecting yoga to its roots and sharing it through live lessons taught by the world’s foremost teachers who studied yoga at India’s most elite universities and schools. With over 100,000 registered U.S. students, it offers over 40 group classes daily, and provides private sessions, along with over one million minutes of live interactions each month. The Cupertino, California-based company was co-founded in 2018 by Jitendra Gupta and Will Allen. Gupta is the successful former co-founder of Punchh, who turned his struggle with burnout into a platform to help others. Allen is a former mechanical engineer who left the lucrative aerospace industry to travel the world, and pursue yoga and meditation over the past decade. MyYogaTeacher recently received $3 million in seed round funding, led by TSVC, with participation from Leonis Investissement, Weekend Fund, All Access Fund, and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. For more information, visit MyYogaTeacher.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolyn@carolynkamii.com Company Website https://www.myyogateacher.com/

March 09, 2022 04:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

NEW XFINITY REWARDS PROGRAM UNLOCKS A WORLD OF UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES, EARLY ACCESS TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, AND SPECIAL PERKS AND DISCOUNTS FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS

Comcast Houston

Comcast today announced the launch of Xfinity Rewards, a rewards program for all customers across the country. Xfinity Rewards was built around a simple idea: to give back to customers, just for being a customer, through unique and unforgettable experiences that only Comcast NBCUniversal can deliver. The multi-faceted program spans media and entertainment, sports, music, and technology. Members enjoy special perks like $1 Movie Rentals, access to free content, discounts at Universal Parks & Resorts, early access to the latest Comcast technologies, products, features like the new xFi Advanced Gateway with Supersonic WiFi, and Xfinity Mobile benefits and savings. Customers can also redeem rewards for unforgettable experiences like exclusive live stream events, have a chance for a meet and greet with Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen, a trip to the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas, or tickets to be part of the live audience at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in New York, just to name a few. “The entire Xfinity Rewards experience has been shaped and inspired by our customers. They told us they wanted meaningful rewards rooted in unforgettable experiences, so we’ve brought together the best of Comcast NBCUniversal to deliver just that,” said Jason Wicht, Senior Vice President of Growth Operations. “Xfinity Rewards truly speaks to our mission to connect people to more of what they love, with the most innovative technology available anywhere, while giving back and saying thanks - just for being a customer.” How Xfinity Rewards Works Joining Xfinity Rewards is free for customers. Signing up only takes a minute through the Xfinity App or online at xfinity.com/rewards. Upon enrolling, members are placed in Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond tier based on how long they’ve been a customer, with access and the types of rewards based on tenure with Comcast. Rewards are available immediately upon signing up for the program so members can start exploring and enjoying them right away with new opportunities added frequently throughout the year. Launching Xfinity Rewards with Supersonic WiFi Xfinity Rewards is all about unlocking unforgettable experiences – and what better place to start than right at home. Beginning March 4, at 12:00 p.m. EST, Xfinity Rewards Diamond members who subscribe to Gigabit Internet will receive early access to Comcast’s most innovative and powerful device to date delivering reliable, supersonic WiFi. The next generation Gateway, only from Xfinity, is capable of multi-Gig speeds and can power a house full of hundreds of connected devices all at once. It won’t be available to the public until April 2022, but eligible Xfinity Rewards members can redeem this reward beginning March 4 through the Xfinity App or online at Xfinity.com/rewards while supplies last. Save Hundreds on Xfinity Mobile, Rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction Customers who sign up for Xfinity Rewards can access even more product discounts and perks as part of the program, including up to $150 towards a new Xfinity Mobile device and up to $100 towards new or existing service for Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile, rated number one in customer satisfaction by ASCI two years in a row, combines the best nationwide cellular 5G with more than 20 million WiFi hotspots to deliver fast speeds and a more flexible way to pay for cellular data. Customers can mix and match between Unlimited or By-the-Gig shared data and can switch back and forth on any line at any time. Xfinity Mobile offers Unlimited data for $30 a line per month when you get 4 lines with Xfinity Mobile. Discounts to Universal Parks & Resorts and Other Comcast NBCUniversal Brands Xfinity Rewards members can experience the action, thrills, and excitement of Universal Orlando’s three amazing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Island of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, at specially discounted prices. Enjoy a Universal Orlando Resort 3-day ticket for the price of a regular 2-day admission ticket or save on a 2 Park 1-Day VIP experience for a personally guided tour of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There’s also a sweepstakes for a 3-night trip for four people to Universal Orlando including roundtrip airfare, accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and admission to all three theme parks. In addition, Xfinity Rewards members get instant access to exclusive discounts across many popular Comcast NBCUniversal brands – including 20% off merchandise at NBC and Bravo stores, discounts on subscriptions to premium services like GolfPass, NBC Sports Edge, and CNBC Pro, and early access to TODAY’s Steals and Deals with Jill Martin. Unforgettable Sports, Music, and Entertainment Experiences Members also have access to experiences and events made possible through Xfinity’s wide array of sports, music, and entertainment partnerships – like a VIP experience to watch all the drama unfold live at NASCAR, tickets to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games, exclusive virtual cooking demonstrations with award-winning celebrity chefs like Bren Herrera, host of Cleo TV’s Culture Kitchen, and Chef G. Garvin of Aspire TV's G. Garvin Live!, virtual meet and greets with Bravolebrities, tickets to top music events like the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas in April, and even a super VIP experience like the chance to meet Olympic gold medalist, Nathan Chen. Simple Delights like $1 Movies and Access to Free Content While there are tons of great experiences, discounts, and perks for being a member of Xfinity Rewards, sometimes the best moments are the simple everyday opportunities to connect with loved ones. In addition to offering tons of great movies for just $1, Xfinity Rewards members can also redeem rewards for movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Minions Movie, In the Heights, and It’s a Wonderful Life for free. And there are tons of games and activity kits featuring hit characters from Boss Baby, The Minions Movie, Sing 2, and more to keep the whole family entertained for hours. There’s truly something for everyone with Xfinity Rewards. For more information about Xfinity Rewards, download the Xfinity App or visit xfinity.com/rewards. About Comcast: Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Michael_Bybee@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

March 08, 2022 08:13 AM Central Standard Time

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SUNNY VODKA LAUNCHES NATIONALLY WITH AN ASPIRATIONAL WEST HOLLYWOOD SPIRIT

EMC|BOWERY

Brand Directors and Partners, Stas Karanikolaou and Zack Bia, Partner with Global Brand Equities To Launch A New Handcrafted Gluten-Free Corn Based Premium Vodka For The Modern Consumer (LOS ANGELES, CA - March 8, 2022) Global Brand Equities unveils Sunny Vodka, the newest addition to their successful liquid portfolio, with next generation entrepreneurs, Stas Karanikolaou and Zack Bia. The best friend duo who are undeniably recognized for disrupting and running the event scene in Los Angeles and cultural events beyond, are now venturing into the alcohol and spirits arena as Partners and Brand Directors with Sunny Vodka. Sunny Vodka is an aspirational brand conceptualized in West Hollywood, capturing the essence of its hometown. The creation of Sunny is a love story built by best friends who simply know what people want to drink and bask in all of life’s moments. The brand brings life to a casual day by the pool, a home cooked meal or a black-tie affair with one sip the world is always Sunny. Sunny Vodka is vegan, gluten-free and made from 100% U.S. grown corn and handcrafted in small batches. Prior to bottling, Sunny is distilled 6 times and is finished through an extra filtration process using California Limestone. The result is a more sophisticated approachable vodka that is cleaner, brighter and smoother with a pleasant aroma, mixable profile & a better mouthfeel. The premium spirit reaches the modern consumer with an eloquently smooth and welcoming flavor profile offering the true taste of vodka. Sunny will be retailed at the competitive price of $24.99 per 750ml bottle (80 Proof, 40% ABV). Sunny Vodka will be exclusively available in key retail chains and distributed by Shaw-Ross International Importers in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits across the country starting with top major markets in California, Las Vegas, Florida and New York on February 1, 2022 and available for purchase at spirit merchants BevMo!, GoPuff Delivery and Wally’s. Stas Karanikolaou, Co-Brand Director of Sunny Vodka comments, “We distinctively sought out to make sure this vodka would be made with quality ingredients, better taste and artistic branding. Most importantly, we wanted to make sure that it was at a reasonable price point to help recreate some of the amazing memories my friends and I have had while drinking Sunny.” Zack Bia, Co-Brand Director of Sunny Vodka says, “ I love working with our "family" on Sunny Vodka. This is not like an endorsement where people just add their name; this is an authentic lifestyle we live and breathe. We are very proud of how far we have come with creating Sunny Vodka to be smooth, clean & a refreshing quality for everyone to aspire and enjoy responsibly.” “Sunny Vodka is not your average spirit, it's an entire lifestyle and community which revolves around an incredible liquid. Sunny is here to breathe new life into the industry's largest liquor category with this launch. The Sunny liquid is extraordinarily smooth, and it has taken our team years to refine it to this superior standard using custom methods in production and distillation. We are delighted to have our distribution led by Shaw-Ross International Importers and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in the US, giving Sunny the best visibility in On and Off-premise retailers as well as e-commerce platforms. Our co-founders are experts in building community and we are proud to partner with them on this incredible brand. ” said James Morrissey President of Global Brand Equities. To kick off the launch, Global Brand Equities have purchased select campaign billboards throughout West Hollywood with locations on Sunset Blvd. and Melrose Ave, alongside a hand-painted mural capturing the sunny landscape of Los Angeles, starting with first sign “It’s Always Sunny on Sunset” at the “bird streets” barricade off Sunset Blvd. The billboards and mural amplify the essence of the prolific trendsetting culture and aspirational lifestyle in the city. For the influential brand, the mission is to create a community that starts with the people and their networks of tastemakers and influencer relationships. Sunny Spritz 2oz Sunny Vodka 1oz Fresh Lime Juice 1oz Agave Nectar 1 oz Crafted Soda Water Garnished with cucumber peel and fresh mint sprigs Sunny Pop 2oz Sunny Vodka 2oz Craft Soda Water Garnished with lemon Sunny Martini 3oz Sunny Vodka 1/8oz Dry Vermouth Garnish with 3 Olives Sunny Screwdriver 2oz Sunny Vodka 2 dashes orange bitters 1-2 hand squeezed blood oranges Sunny Aperol Spritz 1oz Sunny Vodka 2oz Aperol 2oz Craft Soda Water Orange Wheel Garnished with fresh rosemary sprig For more information and find out where Sunny Vodka is sold, please visit: www.sunny-vodka.com to find the nearest retailer. For press/ media inquiries, please contact: Ben Russo, ben@emcbowery.com Dianne Quirante, dianne@emcbowery.com ABOUT SUNNY VODKA Sunny is a love story between best friends who simply know what people want to drink. There are only a few things in life that bring people together and make lasting memories - a great drink is the top of the list. Whether you are with family, friends, a loved one or on your own, nothing beats a smooth glass of Sunny. A casual dinner, a funny toast or a black-tie affair, you cannot deny the easy, clean taste from the world’s best vodka: Sunny. ABOUT GLOBAL BRAND EQUITIES Global Brand Equities (GBE) is the leading producer, owner, and operator of disruptive consumer brands in the spirits industry. Founded by international entrepreneur James Morrissey, the GBE portfolio consists of investments in brands that live in high-growth categories. Responsible for some of the industry’s most successful product launches globally, the company continues to innovate and evolve beyond the average industry standard, resulting in the creation of some of the best-known brand names of our generation. Creating long-term growth of brand equity is a priority for all of the GBE businesses, and its foundations are deep rooted in the liquor, manufacturing, and entertainment sectors, ensuring longevity and the ability to scale at a global level. Always focused on delivering products at the highest level of quality, the portfolio continues to receive exceptional accolades from leading experts. The company’s global perspective is seen with its Maison No 9 French rosé wine brand. In partnership with Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Post Malone, the brand has disrupted the wine industry globally, breaking records for its sales at launch, and scaling across multiple continents in its first 18 months. The liquid currently retains a 91-point score on wine.com. Contact Details EMCBOWERY Dianne Quirante dianne@emcbowery.com

March 08, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Velocity Global Impact Award to Celebrate Inspirational LPGA, LET Players

Velocity Global

The LPGA and LET announced today that Velocity Global, the Official Global Work Platform of both Tours, will sponsor the Velocity Global Impact Award. This honor will celebrate players who have helped to grow the sport of golf and to inspire the next generation of athletes to have a positive impact on the world. Throughout each season, the LPGA and LET will celebrate players and their efforts in giving back to the world and their local communities off the golf course. Toward the end of each season, the LPGA will produce a list of nominees, and the Velocity Global Impact Award Committee will name three players as finalists for the Velocity Global Impact Award. Each finalist will be featured in a docuseries-style content piece sharing their personal story and impact on the game. The winner will be determined through a combination of a fan vote and voting by the committee. The winner will be announced annually on International Women’s Day, March 8. “The Velocity Global Impact Award provides a new avenue to not only recognize the overwhelming contributions made by female golfers in advancing the game but also offers us the opportunity to celebrate the significant positive impacts they make in their communities at home and around the world,” said Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer at Velocity Global. “We are thrilled to partner with LPGA and LET to highlight the many amazing women in professional golf who truly personify greatness in sport.” The award criteria are based on the five values that drive the work of Velocity Global. Nominees will be judged by how well they demonstrate: Velocity – Swiftly assisting in the growth of the game at the youth or amateur level Integrity – Personifying honesty and transparency, serving as a role model to others Be Bold – Willing to forge new paths to create a better future Empowerment – Empowering others through words and actions to have an impact in their own communities Service – Contributing to their communities through their actions “The LPGA Tour and LET feature the world’s best female golfers from more than 60 countries. Through their unique platform and talent, players have the opportunity to impact and inspire people in various communities around the globe,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “We are grateful to Velocity Global for recognizing the impact our players have and for creating this award to highlight and celebrate their commitment to giving back. We are very fortunate to have so many players who value service and to have partners who share our vision to change the world through golf.” The Velocity Global Impact Award Committee comprises seven women of diverse backgrounds, all of whom are dedicated to advancing opportunities for women both professionally and athletically: Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer at Velocity Global Erin Hamrick, Partner at Sterling James and board member of the LPGA Foundation Nancy Lopez, 48-time LPGA Tour winner and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame Nzinga Shaw, President of TurnkeyZRG Lisa Stevens, Chief People Officer and Head of Global Human Capital Solutions at Aon Reiko Takekawa, journalist for Kyodo News Ali Whitaker, broadcaster for the LPGA Tour, LET and DP World Tour LPGA Tour and LET Members are eligible to receive the Velocity Global Impact Award. The winner will receive $100,000 as well as a $100,000 donation to her charity/cause of choice. The other two finalists will each receive $25,000. In January, Velocity Global became the Official Global Work Platform of the LPGA and Ladies European Tour (LET) in a multi-year agreement. Velocity Global will work with the LPGA Tour and LET to highlight the global impact of their players, representing more than 60 countries, through enhanced storytelling opportunities and player recognition. As an Official Partner of the LPGA’s Women’s Network, Velocity Global will utilize the LPGA platform to highlight these initiatives focused on women’s leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion through additional programming. Velocity Global furthered its support of the women’s game with the announcement that LPGA Tour players Lexi Thompson and Albane Valenzuela joined six-time PGA TOUR champion Billy Horschel and four-time APGA Tour champion Kevin Hall as its global golf brand ambassadors. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work Platform ™ simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. With talent solutions in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States, the platform combines global Employer of Record and Contractor Management to onboard, manage, and pay talent worldwide. More than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. About the LPGA The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women, with a goal to change the face of golf by making the sport more accessible and inclusive. Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history. The LPGA Tour competes across the globe, reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA also holds a joint-venture collaboration with the Ladies European Tour (LET), increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Across the three Tours, the LPGA represents players in more than 60 countries. Additionally, the LPGA Foundation has empowered and supported girls and women since 1991, most notably through LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national program of its kind, which annually engages with nearly 100,000 girls. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association and LPGA Women’s Network provide virtual and in-person connections to female golfers around the world, while LPGA Professionals are educators, business leaders and gamechangers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone. Follow the LPGA on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel, online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. About the LET The LET inspires women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf. At our core, we aim to build and deliver an extensive competitive schedule of events to enable our strong, energetic, proud, and confident players to compete at the highest level, pursue their dreams and lead by example. Our diverse and multicultural membership of 316 professional golfers represents as many as 36 countries. We are a global tour with roots in Europe. We aim to entertain and excite, but also to enhance health and quality of life, as a responsible, committed and respectful partner. Inspiring – our players are inspiring role models to follow and encourage others to pursue their own dreams. Passionate – we are driven by a passion to perform to our full potential and get better every day. It’s not just about the money or the glory, but a true love for the game. Committed – we are fiercely committed to continuous improvement and recognise the grit that it takes to achieve long-term goals. 2022 marks the 44th season of golf tournaments since the professional tour was founded in 1978 and the third edition of the Race to Costa Del Sol. This year’s schedule includes 31 events in 21 different countries and a record-breaking prize fund of €24.5 million. The LET Access Series is the official development tour of the LET, formed to give players an opportunity to compete and progress onto the LET and achieve their dreams in professional golf. Ladieseuropeantour.com #RaiseOurGame Contact Details Velocity Global Chris McGrath +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com LPGA Christina Lance christina.lance@lpga.com LET Bethan Jones bethan.jones@ladieseuropeantour.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

March 08, 2022 07:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

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OPPO Find X5 Pro's ultra night video mode empowers the story of Joana Pastrana

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 8 March 2022 - OPPO celebrates International Women's Day in collaboration with Director Laura Sisteró to produce the story of Joana Pastrana, who is a world-class boxer and held the International Boxing Federation's mini-flyweight title for three years in a row. Her achievements were hard won through training and self-betterment. Joana Pastrana represents the spirit of OPPO's Save the Night initiative, which celebrates the empowerment of women who find they have to push harder and train longer in a world that can seem out of sync with their ambitions. (Shot on Find X5 Pro) A story of empowerment Joana Pastrana's story is told in a short film made in association with OPPO, directed by Laura Sisteró, and shot in part using the new OPPO Find X5 Pro. It shows what the night can be if we choose to make it so: "In the dark, I just saw an opportunity. While everyone went back home to rest, I was ready to chase my dream," says Pastrana. For her, the night was a time to work, and push harder. Competing in a male-dominated sport only made her self-empowerment more crucial. "I didn't see many women up there," says Pastrana. "I had to become my own role model. And from then on, I never stopped. I trained harder and harder. This was the only way to achieve my goals", she says. After three years of competing in the amateur circuit, Pastrana made her professional debut in 2016. At the time she was the only professional boxer in Madrid. By the middle of 2018 she was already a global champion in her weight class. Pastrana is an inspirational figure, an example of what self-motivation through empowerment can bring. Few could, or would even want to, box at a professional level. However, her words can inspire us all. She says, "the night can be the time to dream wide awake." It's a reminder that while dreams and aspirations may seem remote, they may be within reach. This is a sentiment worth celebrating. (Shot on Find X5 Pro) Behind the camera The aim of OPPO's Joana Pastrana short film was to offer a view into her world. She walks through the empty city streets at night towards her boxing gym, capturing images with the OPPO Find X5 Pro. She straps up her wrists and takes to the ring to train. As she sits at the end of the session, exhausted, Pastrana visualizes the match to come, when all her efforts will be put to the test. The film-making challenge was to capture the emotional and physical investment here in a 90-second format. Director Laura Sisteró's tools were the industry standard Arri Alexa camera and a less likely partner, the OPPO Find X5 Pro. OPPO Find X5 Pro can be the night companion. Its camera is optimized to produce stunning results, for stills or video, even in the most challenging lighting. An OPPO Find X5 Pro will record night-time memories, challenges, victories and defeats, which can form an important part of a motivational journey. The phone was put to the test in the shooting of this short film, used to film some of the more difficult scenes in the piece. The phone used by Pastrana to visually narrate her journey through the street in photo form. Shots of Pastrana training both in and outside the ring used the OPPO Find X5 Pro's Ultra Night Video mode. This marks a paradigm shift in the video quality of OPPO phones, bringing the quality associated with enhanced low-light stills to moving images. "I was quite surprised by the capabilities the phone has to take pictures at night," says director Laura Sisteró. A tapestry of software and hardware in the OPPO Find X5 Pro makes this a reality. Its wide and ultra-wide cameras use large, high-quality Sony IMX766 sensors. 5-axis OIS avoids motion blur and allows for longer shutter speeds, and OPPO's self-developed MariSilicon X NPU fine tunes the camera's advanced processing algorithms to suit each shooting situation. To create a night-time short film with the OPPO Find X5 Pro, take some of the creative choices made in the short film as inspiration. Note how Pastrana is not the only character here. The quiet atmosphere of the streets is brought into focus by the use of Pastrana's footsteps as the primary soundtrack to each exterior shot. This sits in stark contrast to the traffic noise of the first few seconds of footage, shot during the day. Director Sisteró plays with the shadows and light contrasts of the night-time city, and lets scenes bathe in the warmth of street light and the artificial lighting of neon signs. At night, each shadow can be an outlet for creative expression. This visual language is a key part of the telling of Pastrana's story ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5epW6JpoCw ). The phone is available from mid-March. Read more about the OPPO Find X5 Pro at the OPPO website. #OPPO Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

March 08, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Influencer DeStorm Power to Launch First Art-backed NFT Entertainment System

NFT Brands, Inc

Today, March 5th, 2022 at 8 p.m. PST, macro social media influencer, musician, actor and creator, DeStorm Power will release his first collection of NFTs backed by his self-created, customized collection of “ MetaTars.” The collection will move beyond a standard NFT offering by allowing holders to become part of an exclusive community with access to a complete entertainment system, including virtual concerts, festivals and private parties, amongst other perks. The exclusive community will also be owned and operated by the NFT holders. DeStorm Power’s “MetaTars” Collectibles aims to bridge the gap between the Metaverse and the natural world by launching a utility-based initiative that focuses on forming a community of like-minded people interested in business, creativity, art, food, marketing, ideas, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The initial “MetaTars Genesis” is a collection of 666 alien-like humanoids created by DeStorm Power. Each NFT holder uses its own token (the MetaTars Token) as currency in its ecosystem. Growing up poor in Baltimore with a single mother and seven siblings, DeStorm Power always had a love of art. When his mom couldn’t afford art supplies or even paper, she told him “write on the walls, we’re getting evicted anyway.” All of his artwork was auctioned off when he couldn’t pay for the storage unit it was stored in. Despite all, he rose to the ranks of macro-influencers, with over 5.5 million followers on instagram and over 3 million on YouTube, a former host of MTV’s Punk’d reboot, an American Music Award honoree and an Emmy award nominee for the most watched short film on the internet. “I am an avid supporter of digitalization and the existence of individuality in a digital world. These MetaTars are very special to me, as they allow the public to learn more about my artistic and creative talents in a new way,” said DeStorm Power, creator of the MetaTars collection. “The MetaTars not only showcase my passion for the Metaverse, but how I can extend positivity to my supporters. The MetaTars will also benefit buyers who plan to mint their NFT, as they will own each specific NFT they are minting. It serves as not only an acquisition of property in the metaverse, but an investment as the value of every NFT increases and can be traded continuously.” The Collection MetaTars Genesis is a collection of 666 alien-like humanoids created by DeStorm Power. The first collection is named “Genesis,” signifying the birth of DeStorm’s MetaTars creation and the beginning of the collection series. “The Exodus Collection” will follow with a group of alien-like humanoids called “UltraTars.” Anyone who collects all five colored faces of MetaTars, two StarTars (the platinum ones), or two ShadowTars (the midnight black), will unlock a free UltraTar when the Exodus collection is released. Early users who join the Discord channel and invite friends to join will be eligible for giveaways. Buyers who contribute content or bring in new followers will be rewarded with unexpected prizes. For more information and updates, sign up at: https://metatars.club/ NFT Brands, Inc., a company specializing in partnerships with brands, celebrities, and key figures to develop and launch custom NFT & Metaverse projects, is supporting this launch. Contact Details N6A Trisha Larocchia tlarocchia@n6a.com

March 05, 2022 07:37 PM Eastern Standard Time

IMA Financial Group Unveils the Metaverse’s First Insurance Research & Development Facility

IMA Financial

IMA Financial Group today announced the launch of IMA Web3Labs, the metaverse’s first insurance and risk management research and development facility. It will be located in Decentraland, a virtual world based on blockchain technology. Funded by IMA’s investment arm, IMA Investments Inc., Web3Labs sets new industry expectations for exploring, testing and bringing to market risk and insurance strategies specific to the metaverse. “IMA is known as a thoughtful and strategic partner that finds innovative and effective solutions to manage risk for our clients,” said Paul Washington, Executive Vice President of IMA Financial Group and head of IMA Investments. “Web3Labs allows us to explore the risks associated with digital and meta assets from within the metaverse, so we can better prepare our clients to manage such risks. Our investment in IMA Web3Labs will also enable IMA to explore the infinite applications of blockchain technology to best understand how it might fundamentally shift the landscape of the $1 trillion commercial insurance industry.” With a long history of building risk management and insurance programs customized to clients in complex, emerging industries, IMA recognized a gap between the growth in NFTs and fundamental risk transfer and management strategies to secure them — a gap that leaves business operations in the decentralized finance market at risk, according to Washington. In 2021, $20 billion of NFTs were traded, and the market value of the asset class today exceeds $40 billion. IMA plans to mint its own NFTs and use other tools to advance its expertise in the growing digital and meta opportunities ecosystem. “We aren’t content to take the ‘wait and see’ approach that our industry often favors,” said Justin Jacobs, Senior Vice President of Marketing at IMA Financial Group and architect of IMA Web3Labs. “Society is at an inflection point, proven out by the popularity of meta-platforms. We need the ability to swiftly test, learn and adjust in a meta-native environment so we can build strategies and products that manage risks beyond the confines of the metaverse.” About IMA Financial Group Based in North America, IMA Financial Group Inc. is an integrated financial services company focused on protecting the assets of its widely varied client base through insurance and wealth management solutions. Because IMA is employee-owned, its 1,800-plus associates are empowered to provide customized solutions for their clients’ unique needs. Contact Details IMA Financial Group Ruth Rohs +1 303-615-7513 ruth.rohs@imacorp.com Center Reach Communications Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://imacorp.com/

March 04, 2022 12:12 PM Eastern Standard Time

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