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OYO USA Clocks 48% Growth in Revenue from Bookings on its Own Platforms

OYO

Global travel tech company OYO’s US business witnessed a 48% growth in revenue from bookings on its own platform, such as the app, website, mobile web and call centers in Q4 2022 vs same period in 2021. OYO’s app led the growth with a 99% surge in revenue from bookings in Q4 2022 vs same period in 2021. The company had earlier disclosed that its app is the second most downloaded travel app with over 100 million downloads globally. Growth in revenue from bookings via the company’s call centers saw a 59% increase for the same period. Talking about the improved direct demand, Gautam Swaroop, CEO OYO International said, “US is a highly competitive travel & hospitality market. Driving revenue from bookings onto one's own platform and channels is always a demanding task. While bookings through online travel agents such a Booking.com and Expedia.com play an important role in increasing revenues for our hotel partners, direct demand through OYO’s own platforms leads to better margins for our hoteliers. We have improved direct bookings through simple yet effective measures to bring in operational efficiencies and create a strong business impact. We saw a 3x growth in app conversions and a 2x growth in conversions from the call center using product, price optimizations and by creating operational efficiencies, performance management & better incentive structures in the organization.” Nikhil Heda, Head of Business Development, OYO USA added, “We have focused on things that matter to travelers while planning their stays and improving reach and readability of our communication. As a result, we have seen 1.4X growth in our email opens and 2X growth in click throughs of notifications on our app. This has resulted in a significant improvement in demand via OYO’s own channels. Optimizations such as focusing on the right SEO keyword and improving property reviews on Google have also resulted in improved direct bookings, in turn resulting in substantial savings in OTA commissions for our owners.” Commenting on their experience of working with OYO, Ajay Patel, owner of OYO Hotel Eloy Casa Grande, Arizona said, “We have been seeing 1.5X growth in RevPar from bookings via OYO’s app and call center. Over the last 6 months this has resulted in us paying lower commissions. Typical OTA commissions range anywhere between 15% to 18% and reduced reliance on other channels have helped us save over 50% of the commissions.” OYO offers hotels access to a large base of regular customers through its app and website, and also lists hotels on multiple Online Travel Agents (OTAs) to boost booking demand and, revenue. OYO’s best-in-class Artificial Intelligence-enabled pricing software automatically drives the best booking prices across all channels, based on room type, seasonality and other factors, therefore, enabling such increase in online revenues. Earlier this year OYO said that it is planning to add over 100 hotels in the US in 2023. This is nearly double the number of hotels the company added to its portfolio in 2022. OYO will focus on adding more hotels in the states of Oregon, Washington, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Florida. Texas continues to be the largest and fastest growing market for OYO in the US, while it also has sizable concentration of hotels in Oregon, South and North Carolina, Florida & Georgia. In 2022, the company saw a ~23% increase in new hotels added to its portfolio in the US vs 2021. OYO has started offering hotels the flexibility of not having to invest heavily in redoing the hotel to join the OYO platform, something that other budget hotel chains insist on. Therefore, the initial investment to join OYO is minimal. It has been focusing instead on standardizing service led components such as customer support and booking experience. The company helps ensure great experience for customers, with ease of search and a quick booking experience, highly competitive room prices as per market demand patterns, automated tools such as Artificial Intelligence powered chatbots to quickly resolve customer queries, loyalty programmes and easy refund, if needed. OYO’s US operations recently announced that it has outpaced the budget hotel segments growth in per available room revenue (RevPar) with an 18% rise in 2022 vs pre-covid year, 2019. The budget hotel segment in the meanwhile, grew by only 6% in the US. Disclaimer: Oravel Stays Limited is proposing, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make an initial public offering of its equity shares (the “Equity Shares”) and has filed the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (“DRHP”) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The DRHP is available on the website of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in, websites of the Stock Exchanges, i.e., BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited at www.bseindia.com and www.nseindia.com, respectively, and is available on the websites of the Global Coordinators and Book Running Lead Managers, i.e., Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, J.P. Morgan India Private Limited and Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited at www.investmentbank.kotak.com, www.jpmipl.com and www.online.citibank.co.in/rhtm/citigroupglobalscreen1.htm; the websites of the Book Running Lead Managers, i.e., ICICI Securities Limited, Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Private Limited, JM Financial Limited and Deutsche Equities India Private Limited at www.icicisecurities.com, www.nomuraholdings.com/company/group/asia/india/index.html, www.jmfl.com and www.db.com/India, respectively. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to the same, refer to the Red Herring Prospectus which may be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the future, including the section titled “Risk Factors”. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP filed with SEBI for making any investment decision. The Equity Shares offered in the Fresh Issue (as defined in the DRHP) and the Offer for Sale (as defined in the DRHP) have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and, may not be offered or sold within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the Equity Shares are only being offered and sold (i) within the United States only to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and (ii) outside the United States in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act and pursuant to the applicable laws of the jurisdictions where those offers and sales are made. There will be no public offering of the Equity Shares in the United States. Contact Details Anupriya +91 97911 63065 anupriya.d@oyorooms.com Company Website https://www.oyorooms.com/

April 26, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Carry-on Getaway: Packing for Vacation 101

YourUpdateTV

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and everybody is busy daydreaming about their next vacation getaway. But before all of that fun in the sun or adventure in a new place, we need to set ourselves up for success with the perfect outfits. More importantly, we need to make sure all of our great outfits fit into that convenient carry-on suitcase. And that means knowing what to bring, how to style it, and how to pack it. Recently, Lifestyle Expert Christine Bibbo Herr teamed with Tommy Bahama on a nationwide satellite media tour to share helpful tips on styling your vacation wardrobe and packing the perfect carry-on bag. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/OLIB44TUyls According to Christine, pre-planning for vacation is key so that when you arrive at your destination, there’s no guesswork. When deciding on what to pack, always start with the color story and think about how many ways you can wear each piece. Colors should be interchangeable, and styles should be multi-purpose, allowing you to layer and make endless outfit combinations. Tommy Bahama, the masters of relaxation, are the perfect source for vacation-ready, multi-purposes pieces. Their swimsuits are not only reversible, but work great with shorts, allowing you to go seamlessly from pool to party or around town. It’s also a good idea to pack an active piece, like this skort made from performance fabric. It’s lightweight and moisture-wicking, making it a great piece for walking, pickleball or other fun activities. When packing your carry-on bag, planning is important. Try using packing cubes to stay organized so that when you get to your destination you know where everything is and you save space. They are also great to use for your dirty laundry on the way home. Don't overpack accessories. Pick one shoe that can get wet (like a flip-flop), a sandal to dress up or down, a sneaker for walking and staying active and a great pair of Maui Jim sunglasses for sun protection. Plus a packable hat and a roomy tote that you can carry on the plane. For more great options for your next vacation, visit TommyBahama.com About Christine Bibbo Herr Christine Bibbo Herr, aka @NYCPretty is a former magazine fashion director, and currently an on-air TV lifestyle expert and influencer, stylist, fitness enthusiast & on-air guest for QVC. She’s worked for various national glossies including Health, Real Simple, SHAPE en Espanol, Life & Style, Women’s Day, Today.com and more! Her passion for her work and a healthy lifestyle have her covering the hottest fashion, beauty and wellness trends from her uniquely VIBRANT point of view. The power of positivity is her life’s mission, and her brand is about color, energy, & joy. She is a living example that when you insist on making life fun, fit and fabulous, you become truly ageless. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 25, 2023 02:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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DRYWORLD BRANDS INC. ANNOUNCES INTENT TO ACQUIRE BRIO HOLDING GROUP INC. PROVIDING ACCESS TO CONTRACTED LATAM RETAIL DISTRIBUTION

DRYWORLD BRANDS INC.

DRYWORLD Brands Inc. (OTC: IBGR) (“ Dryworld ”, or the “ Company ”) is pleased to announce that it has entered a binding Letter of Intent (the “ LOI ”) with Brio Holding Group inc. (“ Brio ”), to acquire 100% of Brio. Brio will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dryworld. About Brio Holding Group Inc. Brio is a Delaware company having the exclusive global license to Brio Soul Brands. Brio’s sales and distribution strategy is focused on Latin and Central America having distribution agreements providing access to more than 9,000 + retail locations and best-in-class apparel manufacturing supply chain solutions located in Colombia. For further information about Brio, please see: Brio Soul brands Transaction Purpose Dryworld’s goal is to immediately place the O Bruxo Ronaldinho collection into select retail locations across Latin America that are already under contract with Brio, and where Ronaldinho has significant brand recognition. Dryworld will complement the market launch with its existing HauteD and CoreD branded collections, and CBD-based health products (where federally permissible). Finally bringing the full DRYWORLD suite of products, including SignatureD and premium Ronaldinho My Global Collection to the masses in LATAM through targeted premium retail partnerships. DRYWORLD will support and build-out the brand with targeted partnerships with high-profile athletes, teams, and leagues. As part of the transaction, DRYWORLD will build out the Brío Soul collection, under the DRYWORLD banner, which has produced proprietary fabrics with exceptional, multifunctional performance for its eco-conscious collections. Matt Weingart, Co-CEO of Dryworld, commented: “ This transaction has the potential to be transformative for Dryworld, providing immediate expansion into Central and South America with an initial focus on placing our DRYWORLD products throughout Brio’s existing retail distribution agreements in Colombia, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. That is why I traveled to Colombia, to meet the partners and hit the ground running on due diligence, so we can get to work immediately.” Jorge Diaz, Brio’s Chairman, stated: "We’re very pleased to strengthen Dryworld's presence in LATAM, a region with outstanding per capita consumption in the fashion and apparel industry. The timing of this transaction will serve as a catalyst to accelerate Dryworld's operations both in LATAM and globally. Also, Dryworld will be able to leverage the expertise, know-how, and distribution experience that Brio’s developed in order to expedite the combined and expanded go-to-market strategy." Terms of Proposed Transaction Under the terms of the LOI, and subject to requisite approvals, Dryworld shall issue up to 5,000,000 shares to the shareholders of Brio to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Brio. Following close of the Transaction, Brio will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dryworld. Terms of the transaction include 3,000,000 shares to be paid at closing, with the remaining 2,000,000 subjects to performance milestones connected directly to revenue growth of the Latin/Central American market. All properties, assets, and contracts of Brio shall continue to be the property of Brio, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dryworld; and all sales contracts entered into by Brio shall be assigned to Dryworld. Expanding the Dryworld Team with Brio’s Experience On closing of the transaction, Dryworld’s Board will remain unchanged, however, Chayle Beaudoin (Brio’s Founder, Director and CEO) and Jorge Diaz (Brio’s Chairman) will become Officers of Dryworld: Chayle Beaudoin: Founder, Director & CEO of Brio Chayle Beaudoin is the CEO and Founder of Brío Soul Apparel and brings 15+ years of business experience from the insurance and retail fashion industries across North America, both Canada and the US. Chayle brings a strong entrepreneurial spirit and has a deep passion for unlocking and building disruptive new ventures. Having dedicated 20 years to the practice of Yoga, Chayle has a solid understanding of the needs of practitioners along with a keen eye for fashion and art as well as a love of languages; she is fluent in English, French and Spanish. Jorge Díaz: Chairman of Brio Mr. Diaz is the founder and CEO of Domäne Investment Group Inc (DIG) a private equity fund that has been the first-round investor in several companies that have been listed on recognized securities exchanges. (DIG) and associates have funded projects located in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, Canada and USA to name a few. The capital raised by Mr. Diaz and his associates over the last 15 years has exceeded $200 Million. For further information on the Company, please visit: Dryworld Investor Relations DRYWORLD Shop | DRYWORLD Instagram | DRYWORLD Facebook | DRYWORLD Twitter For more information, contact: info@thedryworld.com Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the company's acquisition integration and market sectors, COVID-19, and the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the company. Contact Details Dryworld Brands Inc. info@thedryworld.com Company Website https://thedryworld.com/

April 25, 2023 01:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. Acquires H2O and Solar Energy Solutions

Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc.

Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. (OTC: CAFI) is a company that operates in the sports supplement, fitness equipment, and health and wellness industries. As part of its expansion strategy, the company seeks to acquire revenue-generating companies that complement its portfolio and enhance its position in these sectors. As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. is pleased to announce it acquired H2O and Solar Energy Solutions from Branded Legacy, Inc. (OTC: BLEG) for Twenty Million (20,000,000) restricted common stock. This acquisition perfectly complements its existing portfolio and reinforces its position in the market. This strategic move enables CAFI to offer sustainable solutions that prioritize consumer health and wellbeing while reducing their environmental impact. With hydration being a key factor in performance and overall health, having access to purified water is crucial. This new acquisition will provide consumers with high-quality, purified water that meets their needs, supporting their fitness and wellness goals. H2O and Solar Energy Solutions is a provider of water purification and solar energy systems based in central Florida. H2O and Solar Energy Solutions is a provider of water purification and solar energy systems based in central Florida, with over $430,000 in revenue generated in 2022. H2O and Solar Energy Solutions provide customized solutions for residential and commercial customers, offering free quotations and home testing to ensure customer satisfaction. With a strong focus on expanding its sales team, H2O and Solar Energy Solutions aims to generate over One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in revenue in 2023. Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. is confident that this acquisition will help H2O and Solar Energy Solutions obtain the necessary funding to achieve its projected growth. The company believes that the acquisition aligns with its own mission to offer innovative and dependable solutions to its customers, while also broadening its offerings and delivering even greater value to customers. "We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of H2O and Solar Energy Solutions," said Brandon Spikes, CEO of Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. "As a company that values innovation and customer satisfaction, we believe that H2O and Solar Energy Solutions is an excellent fit for us. This acquisition will enable us to expand our product offerings and provide our customers with even more value." Previously announced the company has also enlisted legal counsel to effectuate a name and ticker symbol change that aligns with its evolving business objectives. About Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc.: Innate Global, Inc. (formerly Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc.) is a company with three subsidiaries that operate in the sports supplement, fitness equipment, and health and wellness industries, respectively. Its subsidiaries are 51, LLC, a sports supplement brand, The Quickness, which holds a patent for innovative sports training equipment designed to improve linebacker training, and Astound NMN, a brand of anti-aging DNA repairing supplements. The company is dedicated to providing innovative products and cutting-edge technology that help people achieve their fitness and wellness goals. Additionally, Innate Global, Inc. is actively seeking to acquire revenue-generating companies to further expand its portfolio. Safe Harbor Statement: The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. Contact: Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. spikes41@gmail.com Contact Details Consumer Automotive Finance, Inc. spikes41@gmail.com

April 25, 2023 10:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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43-Year Printing Business Graphic Communications Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Shelby Township, Michigan

Minuteman Press International Inc

43-year printing business Graphic Communications has been sold by Dennis Wrobleski to new owners Nathan and Jane Kogan. Following the sale, the business is being converted to a full-service Minuteman Press franchise. The new Minuteman Press in Shelby Township is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. On buying the business, Nathan Kogan says, “My background was in finance and accounting. I held a position as an Assistant Controller for a privately owned wealth management company for almost 19 years. My wife and I decided to become business owners because we wanted to build something for ourselves and our kids. Our hope is that someday, our kids will join us and want to be a part of this wonderful company.” Seller Dennis Wrobleski shares, “My main objective in transferring the business was the security of my employees and the care of our clientele. I was happy to learn that Minuteman Press franchise owners are supported and trained to handle the print and marketing needs of local businesses. I believe this will be a huge benefit to our clients adding access to more products and services. The most likely prospect of growth with the expansion of products available to our existing clientele and new clients ensures a beneficial outcome for the employees.” History of the Business Graphic Communications began as a Michigan partnership in 1980. Dennis explains, “My former partner Bill Schulz and I worked together at Kux Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1950s, Kux Manufacturing Company, founded by Richard Kux, became the largest manufacturer of decals and identification markings for cars and trucks in the country. Kux was set up for high volume production of fleet graphics, and worked mostly with national brands. Our goal was to provide this same level of high quality graphic products and service to local businesses. Kux was very helpful and supportive of our venture and continued to outsource work to us as our business grew.” Dennis continues, “Graphic Communications made the transition from manual tooling processes to digital graphics. We rely on the latest software, computerized cutting machines, large format printing, and mostly our talented staff of graphic designers and production artists, to serve our clients with professional graphic art solutions.” Selling the Business As he was exploring his options for selling the business, Dennis ended up meeting with Minuteman Press Regional VP Rich DeRosa, who explained the benefits of Minuteman Press International’s conversion program that connects sellers like Dennis with buyers like Nathan and Jane Kogan. Dennis shares, “When I met Rich DeRosa, my business was already listed for sale with a broker. As soon as the broker contract expired, I called Rich and we set up a meeting. Rich not only had a very good understanding of my business, he had a potential buyer in mind that he had been working with. Rich explained the straightforward process and I also learned a lot from the Minuteman Press website. “I think it’s great working with an organization that is interested in success for the buyer and the seller. Knowing that the new owner of Graphic Communications will be equipped with the knowledge and support from Minuteman Press to continue to serve our clients is a big relief for me. I am confident that the business and employees will be in good hands.” -Dennis Wrobleski, Selling Owner, Graphic Communications Buying the Business From his perspective as a new business owner, Nathan Kogan found the right fit in buying a well-established business while also being supported by Minuteman Press as a franchisee. Nathan shares, “We chose to buy an established business because it gave us comfort and a feeling of stability to come into something that is already a proven model, but would also have tons of upside for growth. We chose Minuteman Press due to its incredible reviews and a support system for the owners.” Nathan continues, “Working with Minuteman Press International was extremely easy and comforting. Rich DeRosa was extremely supportive and helpful throughout this whole process. And patient, especially with me. The training and support is extremely important; it's definitely one of the main reasons we were drawn to this particular franchise.” “I look forward to building on the legacy that Dennis created with Graphic Communications for 43 years while also beginning this new chapter with Minuteman Press, Shelby Township.” -Nathan Kogan, New Owner, Minuteman Press, Shelby Township, MI Transition & Advice for Others With the transition of the business from Graphic Communications to Minuteman Press, Shelby Township already in motion, Nathan shares the following advice for aspiring business owners: “I would highly recommend following your passion and dreams. But before jumping in, do your due diligence and be sure you are ready for all that is to come.” As this chapter closes for Dennis, he reflects, “It wasn’t easy starting a business with few resources besides time and determination. In many ways, it’s even harder to make an exit. I’m thankful for everyone I met through this business. I’m blessed that I was able to use my talent as a graphic artist to serve so many great people and businesses in the Metropolitan Detroit area. I know the business is being left in great hands with Nathan and Jane Kogan and Minuteman Press.” Dennis also offers the following parting advice for business owners looking to secure a sale of their printing businesses: “Call Minuteman Press. Also, having all bookkeeping and financial reports up to date helps for a smooth transition.” Minuteman Press, Shelby Township (formerly Graphic Communications) is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. For more information, call 586-566-5200 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/mi/shelby-township/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. To learn about selling your printing business through Minuteman Press at no cost or broker fees to you, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 25, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Accesso Technology Group has "so much opportunity ahead" after acquisition

Accesso Technology Group PLC

Accesso Technology Group PLC (AIM:ACSO, OTC:LOQPF) (AIM:ACSO, OTC:LOQPF) CEO Steve Brown speaks to Proactive after announcing the acquisition of Paradocs Mountain Software, a Canada-based ski software solutions provider. Brown said that the acquisition is representative of the kind of deal he hopes to continues making, highlighting that Accesso will carefully consider any opportunities that present themselves. He adds that there is "so much opportunity ahead" following the announcement. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

April 25, 2023 06:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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New Ally survey reveals “Bucket Lists” and affordability top-of-mind for Americans

YourUpdateTV

On this National Bucket List Day, a new survey from Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY) reveals that even amid high-inflation and lending rates, nearly 90% of Americans are still dreaming big with their bucket lists – with many looking forward to everything from trips to Fiji to purchasing their dream home. However, more than one-third of people with a bucket list haven’t crossed off a single goal in the last 12 months, and nearly 75% say finances are what’s holding them back. Helping make those “bucket list” goals and experiences achievable for more Americans, Ally Bank has launched a new money management tool that is designed to enhance and complement the benefits of its most popular tool, Savings buckets. Spending buckets help people set and stick to a budget, add more to their savings and get to their bucket lists even faster. “We see our customers, who have created millions of Savings buckets, are much more successful ticking off their bucket list items and they accomplish them two times faster,” said Anand Talwar, Head of Deposits & Invest at Ally. “It has been incredible to hear stories from customers who have been able to experience a bucket list moment, like going to their first Beyonce concert, with the help of a Savings bucket. We believe Spending buckets are a great addition to these tools, which are all designed to help people worry less, save more and reach their goals sooner.” Like digital envelopes, Spending buckets allow customers to automatically set money aside for recurring bills and common expenses – such as rent and groceries – and track their spending across customized categories in real-time. While similar to Savings buckets as far as functionality, Spending buckets are designed to manage money within Ally Bank’s Interest Checking Account, such as monthly and recurring expenses. The digital bank will continue to enhance Spending buckets based on customer feedback. “Spending buckets take the guesswork out of budgeting so consumers can be confident that an unplanned expense, or impulse splurge, will not impact their ability to pay the bills or add to their savings,” said Talwar. “Similar to our Savings buckets, Spending buckets are designed to motivate real behavior change. They give you a clearer picture of your spending habits – and an opportunity to create better ones, helping you afford what matters most to you in life.” The Ally survey found that pen and paper are still the primary budgeting tools for Americans. Yet almost a quarter of those surveyed say that even with a budget, they have trouble tracking and estimating their household’s monthly spending. Being able to visualize money goals and automate money management were cited as being the most helpful features a budgeting tool could have. Additional survey findings include: Travel reigns supreme on consumers’ bucket lists ● Traveling to a specific destination is on 85% of consumer bucket lists – with Italy, the United Kingdom, and Australia coming in as the top three international destinations. ● One in five say a spot in the US is the top destination on their bucket list, with nearly a third (32%) of Gen Zers saying so. ● The top international destination varies by age. Gen Xers chose Australia, while millennials and Gen Zers went with European destinations, choosing the United Kingdom and France, respectively. Gen Zers lead the bucket list game with the most items on their bucket lists ● Beyond travel, Americans also crave quality time with loved ones (58%), financial stability (50%), and want to learn new skills or hobbies (49%). ● Nearly one in four (23%) Americans dream of leaving their day jobs to pursue their passions. ● Gen Zers have hefty goals, with over seven items on their bucket lists on average - significantly more than their older counterparts. ● Out-of-the-box bucket list goals were accounted for, too: buying a luxury car and getting a tattoo (25%), skydiving (22%) and overcoming fear of heights (20%). Nearly 90% of US adults have a bucket list, but money and time are top obstacles ● 50% of adults cite finances as the ultimate hurdle to crossing off bucket list goals, with 75% ranking it among their top three barriers. Lack of time is another key barrier. ● Gen Xers are especially likely to say finances are the number one barrier (61%). ● Sticking to a budget is the top hurdle for both budgeters and non-budgeters, with 31% of non-budgeters citing it as the reason they don’t have one. ● While 81% of consumers are confident in their budgeting skills, half report feeling stressed when they go over budget. ● Gen Zers (38%) and Millennials (52%) are especially likely to struggle sticking to their budget. ● One in 10 of Gen Zers have no idea how much they spend monthly. You can learn more about Ally Bank’s Savings and Spending buckets at www.ally.com/bucketlist. Savings Buckets are a feature of Ally Bank’s Savings Account. Spending Buckets are a feature of Ally Bank’s Interest Checking Account. Ally Bank, Member FDIC. This online survey was conducted by CITE Research on behalf of Ally Financial between March 21 and 31, 2023, among 1,000 U.S. adults. About Ally Financial Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all- digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves more than 11 million customers through a full range of online banking services (including deposits, mortgage, point-of-sale personal lending, and credit card products) and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company also includes a robust corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 24, 2023 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Keep Your Little Ones Happy & Healthy This Spring

YourUpdateTV

Having a picky eater can be increasingly frustrating and lead to feelings of guilt for many parents who are already experiencing immense pressure to ensure their kids are getting the right nutrients at mealtime.. Recently, SmartyPants Vitamins’ CEO, Brenda Demers, participated in a satellite media tour campaign to share insights on how to manage kids at mealtime and the role that multivitamins play in getting necessary nutrients. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/LGOB_yq8N9E For many parents, making sure their family gets the nutrients they need to stay healthy can be a constant struggle - especially if there are picky eaters in the house! Not to mention, with the vitamin market being as crowded as it is, knowing where to dig in can be daunting at times. Top it all off with trying to find a brand that also provides options that support the whole family, and you might be left paralyzed by indecision. As the best vitamin brand for parents of picky eaters, SmartyPants is industry-leading in the comprehensiveness of its formulations, transparency, and efficacy - with 30+ Clean Label Project® certified products that are non-GMO and contain zero synthetic colors. For its most innovative launch to-date, SmartyPants Vitamins announced new SmartyPants Sugar Free Multi & Omegas gummy multivitamins in Kids, Women’s, and Prenatal formats. Unlike other sugar free gummy multivitamins, SmartyPants’ new Sugar Free Multi & Omegas don’t use sugar alcohols. All SmartyPants products are non-GMO and third-party lab tested for purity, potency and safety. More information on the new products can be found below: ● SmartyPants Sugar Free Kids Multi & Omegas is a sugar free premium all-in-one multi and omega-3 for children's developmental years*. It is thoughtfully formulated with 16 nutrients in delicious sugar free strawberry banana-flavored gummies.* ○ SmartyPants Kids Sleep is also now available as a sugar free supplement with melatonin, that helps your children fall asleep and stay asleep for longer, in just 1 gummy.* It is formulated for children 4 years and older. ● SmartyPants Sugar Free Women’s Multi & Omegas is a sugar free premium all-in-one multi and omega-3 for daily nutrition support*. It is thoughtfully formulated with 19 nutrients in delicious sugar-free orange-flavored gummies.* ● SmartyPants Sugar Free Prenatal Multi & Omegas is a sugar free premium all-in-one multi and omega-3 to support the health of mom and baby*. It is thoughtfully formulated with 19 nutrients in delicious sugar free lemon-flavored gummies.* SmartyPants Sugar Free Multi & Omegas come as an additional option for daily nutrition support alongside the brand’s portfolio of delicious gummies for every life stage and dietary need – including organic and vegetarian options – to products that target functional needs such as immunity, sleep, and more. SmartyPants’ Sugar Free line is now available on Amazon and will be available on Target.com and in select Target locations. For more information about SmartyPants visit smartypantsvitamins.com ------------------------------------------------------ *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. BIO Brenda Demers is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, where she most recently led SmartyPants' integration into Unilever's Health & Wellbeing collective. Prior to joining SmartyPants, Brenda spent more than 23 years leading businesses across the Beauty, Personal Care, Food, OTC Pharmaceuticals, and Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements categories globally. Brenda, her husband, and their children currently live in Los Angeles, where they are avid sports fans and enjoy spending weekends exploring the beauty of their new home. ABOUT SMARTYPANTS VITAMINS Founded in 2011, SmartyPants Vitamins is a purpose-led supplement brand on a mission to simplify health for families without sacrificing quality. As the best vitamin brand for kids, SmartyPants supplements are formulated with premium nutrients and high-quality ingredients—and a delicious taste and texture that appeals to picky eaters. All SmartyPants supplements are third-party lab tested for purity, potency and safety. From its inception, SmartyPants has generated life-changing nutrient donations for women and children in the U.S. and globally via the brand’s partnership with Vitamin Angels. To learn more, visit smartypantsvitamins.com or check out @smartypants on Instagram. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 21, 2023 09:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Freelance Creative Jobs Thrive Despite AI Surge

FREELANCER.COM

New data released today by Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) (OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, shows an incoming startup boom amongst an unprecedented surge in freelance creative design and AI job growth. The Fast 50 Q1 2023 Index, the world’s largest forward indicator of freelance job trends, analyzes over 304,000 jobs posted to Freelancer.com between January and March 2023. The index finds that jobs for T-Shirt Design (up 33.1%, from 1,403 to 1,868), Covers & Packaging Design (up 27.3%, from 1,128 to 1,436), and Corporate Identity Design (up 24.2%, from 2,474 to 3,073) were the three fastest growing job types by total percentage growth when compared to Q4 2022. These were followed by Product Design (up 22.9%, 1,214 to 1,493) and 3D Design (up 22%, from 5,027 to 6,135) jobs. Design skills with the largest job counts on the platform also grew significantly this quarter. There were a whopping 7,495 extra Graphic Design jobs in Q1 (up 12.1%, from 61,709 to 69,204), followed by an additional 6,731 Logo Design jobs (up 20.4%, from 32,963 to 39,694) and 5,902 extra jobs requiring skills in Photoshop (up 15.4%, from 38,224 to 44,126). Design is both the most in-demand and the highest paying skill on Freelancer.com, as found in the Freelancing in 2022 Report. These types of jobs, particularly logo design, packaging design and t-shirt creation, are typically the starting point for many founders launching a new business. The sudden influx of design, eCommerce and marketing jobs are a key indicator of a boom in startups. Simultaneously, jobs requiring skills in Artificial Intelligence were the seventh fastest growing skill on Freelancer.com (up 20.62% in Q1 2023 from 1,038 to 1,252). Jobs demanding Generative AI skills, such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney and Chatbots, grew by more than 325% from 286 in Q4 2022 to 1,216 in Q1 2023. “While many speculate whether AI will take design jobs, our latest data shows that this is certainly not the case. Design jobs are the most popular job type on the platform and continue to grow despite advances in hyper-realistic generative AI tools,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. “What’s more interesting in this data is zooming out and looking at the main trend: the startup boom. The most in-demand jobs on the platform for this quarter are all related to the launch of new businesses. New logo, website and branding jobs. In fact, there were 75 extra logo design jobs posted each day last quarter, which could suggest the launch of 75 new businesses.” The data also shows an increase in Digital Marketing (up 12.8%, from 1,524 to 1,720) and Videography (up 14.2%, from 2,716 to 3,102) jobs which also suggests businesses are focusing more on their online marketing and content creation strategies to amplify their brands. Fastest Falling Jobs of Q1 2023 While design jobs dominated the fastest growing, the jobs that were in less demand in this quarter are related to tech, development and writing. Software Development, which was ranked as the fastest growing job in Q2 2022, began to decline this quarter and was down by 34.4% (from 2,001 to 1,311). Similarly, programming related jobs which were one of the fastest growing skills in Q4 2022 also declined this quarter by 20.9% (from 5,899 to 4,665). Demand for these types of jobs surged last year as many tech employees were laid off globally. However, the new data suggests demand is beginning to stabilize and return to pre-mass layoffs levels. Seasonality also plays into employers moving away from specific types of jobs quarter-to-quarter. Report Writing, Technical Writing, Research Writing and Business Plans were ranked as the fastest growing jobs in Q4 2022 as many employers traditionally turn to freelance support to help prepare end of year reports and 2023 plans. These types of jobs naturally reduce in the first quarter of the year. Fast 50 Q1 2023 - Data Analysis Startup Boom Fuels Creative Design Job Growth Historically, more businesses are started during a recession. Economic downturns have led to the creation of some of the world’s most well known brands, such as Microsoft, Uber and Burger King, just to name a few. Only a few years ago, the world witnessed this trend playing out as COVID sparked a startup boom, which saw a 24 percent increase in new business applications in the United States alone. According to the latest US Census Business Formation Statistics, the number of new business applications is beginning to grow in 2023 by an increase of 451,752, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to February 2023. Data from the latest Freelancer Fast 50 Index suggests there’s a sudden increase in the number of new businesses and startups being launched globally. The fastest growing skills, such as T-Shirt, Covers & Packaging, and Corporate Identity Design, as well as the growth of major jobs such as Logo Design, are all usually posted by founders at the starting point for a new business or venture. T-Shirt Design jobs, as an example, are growing as people hire freelancers to create t-shirts with their business logo as a way of promoting a brand or creating business uniforms. An uptick in Covers and Packaging Design jobs are the result of businesses turning to freelancers for new product labels and marketing brochures. Growth in website building jobs, such as Shopify (up 20.5%, from 2,302 to 2,775), Shopify Templates (up 16.1%, from 1,392 to 1,617) and eCommerce (up 15.5%, from 4,212 to 4,866), also support the rise of new businesses last quarter. Almost three quarters of the fastest growing jobs (72%) posted on Freelancer.com in the last quarter required skills in creative design or marketing. Serial entrepreneur Davuud Ghani, who recently founded Pivitt, a creative and branding support agency based in the United Kingdom, is just one example of how founders are turning to freelancers to support the growth of their business in 2023. “As a start-up, agility is our advantage over mature businesses with similar service offerings. It’s becoming easier for businesses to locate and leverage global talent, with platforms such as Freelancer.com. We are able to really finetune the skills needed on a project basis to drive excellence through our service offering to our partners, keeping us competitive in the market. That’s what our model is built from and has allowed us to secure partnerships with the likes of BMW & MINI,” said Davuud Ghani, founder of Pivitt. Generative AI Jobs Triple In Last Quarter Advancements in artificial intelligent and generative AI are impacting almost every faucet of business and creativity. Powerful AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Dall-E and Midjourney, are becoming smarter and more sophisticated by month, resulting in rapid leaps in capabilities and applications. In the first quarter of 2023, Open AI released GPT-4, introducing a more powerful and intelligent version of the application which could exhibit human level performance on several benchmarks. In the AI image generation space, research lab Midjourney also released the alpha iteration of its 5th version which allowed users to create photorealistic generations. Growing interest for AI is represented clearly in the Fast 50 Q1 2023 data which ranks jobs for Artificial Intelligence as the seventh fastest growing job on the platform, growing by 20.6% up to 1,252 jobs in total. Many projects posted in the first quarter aim to harness AI text generators or automate mass image generation, while some look for freelance experts who can help create their own AI models and applications. Generative AI skills (ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, Chatbots) grew the fastest over the quarter, recording a total percentage increase of 325% from 286 last quarter to 1,216 in Q1 2023. In total, there were 5,262 jobs requiring skills in AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, ChatGPT and Dall-E. Digital Marketing & Content Creation Popularity of content marketing is growing amongst businesses. Major success stories, such as Netflix’s Drive to Survive series or Spotify’s Wrapped, are pushing businesses and marketers towards incorporating content marketing within their strategies. It’s a trend that was identified in the Fast 50 Q3 2022 Index and is continuing in Q1 2023. Videography (up 14.21%, from to 3,102), Digital Marketing (up 12.86% to 1,720), YouTube (up 11.30% to 1,576), and Video Production (up 10.25% to 5,401) were all in-demand skills last quarter. This finding suggests that businesses are increasingly focusing on online marketing and content creation strategies to reach their target audiences. While YouTube remains as the main platform people are turning to freelancers for support, employer interest in TikTok video creation is also growing, increasing by 25% in Q1 2023, from 405 projects in Q4 2022 to 507 total jobs Q1 2023. Product Design Jobs Apart from design projects specific to branding and new business ventures, the number of 3D Design, Product Design and general Design collectively grew over Q1 2023. ##### Freelancer Fast 50 The Freelancer Fast 50 index is the world’s largest forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. The data is based on 304,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer platform between January 1 to March 31 2023. Fast 50 Quarterly Index – Q1 2023 About Freelancer Freelancer.com is the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 64 million registered users have posted over 22.3 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer also owns Escrow.com and Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. Contact Details freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 mzitko@freelancer.com

April 21, 2023 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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