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Shareholder Activist: Entire Disney Board Presided Over Last Year’s Disaster and Does Not Deserve Re-election

National Legal & Policy Center

National Legal and Policy Center, a shareholder in The Walt Disney Company, is calling upon investors in the company to take the extreme step of voting to oppose the entire slate of nominees for the board of directors, all of whom are carryovers that presided over the entertainment giant’s worst year since the 1970s. That’s right – after Disney emerged from a disastrous 2022 that saw extremists take control of their programming, the degradation of its valuable intellectual and creative properties, and the worst performance of its stock price since 1974, all the existing directors (minus one) have decided that each of them deserves to return to their company oversight roles. The Disney annual meeting is on April 3. NLPC is sponsoring Proposal No. 5, which asks the board to produce a report that identifies and itemizes the company’s risks from its extensive business ties to China. NLPC also issued an extensive memorandum for shareholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, that outlines why the directors – including CEO Robert Iger – don’t deserve another term after Disney’s dysfunctional 2022, in which they extended the contract of former CEO Bob Chapek mid-year, only to terminate him within five months. The report also highlights several concerns pertaining to the company’s exposure in communist China. Following are excerpts from the memorandum to shareholders that was filed at the SEC on Wednesday: Disney – with its wealth of creative intellectual properties, automatic revenue generators at theme parks all over the planet, and nearly recession-proof entertainment- and media-delivery mechanisms – has seen an inexplicable decline in shareholder returns compared to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. As of January 10, 2023, the Company’s share price fell short against the Wall Street measuring stick over one year (by 24 percent), three years (by 60 percent), five years (by 66 percent), and ten years (by 116 percent). By March 15, 2023 – the date of the filing of this report with the SEC – the share price had descended even lower. Only two years ago Disney stock traded at its eight-year peak – $197.16 – and over the course of 2022, its value dropped by 44 percent. It was the worst year for the Company’s stock since 1974… The Company has squandered, wasted, devalued and ruined much of its content and beloved brands with the pursuit of a far-left political agenda – known in current-day parlance as “wokeness.” For that and because of those poor business decisions, we call for an overhaul of the current board, and also seek support for our own proposal (“Report on Operations Related to China”)…. Disney’s executive suite and its Board have allowed its signature brands and its once-beloved properties to become infected with divisive political agendas…. This is untenable for a Company that built its reputation on family-friendly programming and offerings, if it hopes to continue to attract a broad swath of viewers and customers…. While Disney was more than willing to go to battle (with Mr. Iger’s blessing) against Florida over the parental rights bill that opponents falsely nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the Company proactively waved the surrender flag in order to access TV audiences in the Muslim world….The Company only cares to “fight” for LGBTQ+ rights where they are free to do so. Otherwise, Disney is perfectly happy to bend its “principles” at the behest of dictators and oppressors in pursuit of revenues…. Mr. Iger has come under criticism for his succession planning…. Shareholder Abigail Disney (whose politics largely align with Mr. Iger’s), granddaughter of Company co-founder Roy O. Disney and grandniece of Walt, told Time in November, “The bottom line is that this was very poor succession planning and the onus of that has to land squarely on Bob Iger’s shoulders as well as the shoulders of the board of directors.” She also said, “I hope it triggers some reflection at the board level because ultimately, this is the board’s job, to hire and fire CEOs. I hope to see something better happening next time around. I hope Bob [Iger] has one foot out the door. The brand is taking a terrible beating right now for a lot of reasons….” “Disney shareholders may think we’re crazy for asking that they oppose the entire board’s re-election, but all the vote means is that it is a statement of no-confidence,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “After the company’s catastrophic 2022 and the persistent mundane performance of its share price, the current directors have failed miserably. A signal from shareholders would force them to revisit their board makeup and tell them to refresh their ranks.” You can read NLPC’s shareholder proposal on China risks at its website, and the full memorandum to Disney shareholders at the SEC website. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. 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 Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 16, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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American Center for Cures Co-Founder Appointed by President Biden to National Cancer Advisory Board

The American Center for Cures

The American Center for Cures (ACC) today announced its long-time partner and co-founder Dr. Richard Boxer has been selected by President Joseph Biden to the National Cancer Advisory Board. In this role, Dr. Boxer will use his years of medical expertise to help guide the Director of the National Cancer Institute in the development of the organization’s national cancer research. Along with venerated entrepreneur Lou Weisbach, Dr. Boxer co-founded the ACC as a bipartisan initiative that aims to unite medicine, science, pharmaceuticals, business, and government to seek out new treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s, mental diseases, many forms of cancer, and several others. “Richard Boxer and I have worked together on this important endeavor for more than a decade. It’s an honor to see him elevated to the National Cancer Advisory Board,” said Lou Weisbach, CEO and Co-Founder of ACC. “I’ve been working in a bipartisan way with leaders of both parties and the quote from Tom Price, former Secretary of Health, tells you all you need to know about our mission: ‘When this plan is approved it will rival the greatest achievements in US history and offer the sense of urgency that all American families yearn for and deserve when battling disease.’” Dr. Boxer, a UCLA Clinical Professor and Co-Founder of the American Center for Cures added: “I’ve dedicated my professional career to compassionate and uncompromising care for cancer patients and educating the public and the medical community and preventing and curing disease is a critical single issue that all Americans can agree on. As a practicing urologist treating cancer patients and cancer survivor myself, the mission of the ACC and my role in its success is very personal.” Dr. Boxer, a Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, himself a three-time cancer survivor, has been practicing medicine for 44 years, caring for more than 7,000 patients with cancer and tens of thousands of patients with other illnesses. He represented the U.S. at the World Health Organization as a private citizen, a finalist for Surgeon General of the United States in both a Democratic and Republican Administration, and he was recently on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Conquer Cancer Foundation. Dr. Boxer has published nearly 100 journal articles and book chapters on medical research and has also written extensively on health policy in national press outlets. He helped create the initial clinical protocols for telemedicine, becoming the Chief Medical Officer of numerous telemedicine companies. In April 2021, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Wisconsin’s Medical School, its highest honor. “This is a critical single issue that all Americans can agree on, whether they be black or white, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican,” declared Weisbach. “With kudos to all medical breakthroughs of the past, we still haven’t gotten the job done in a business-like fashion as a nation when it comes to prevention and cures. That ends today. We are not asking congress or both parties to move forward on this initiative, we are insisting that it be passed unanimously. This issue impacts all 335 million Americans in the same way, including everyone in The White House, as well as members of Congress and their families. If we cannot unite on this issue as Americans, then I submit there are no issues on which we can unite.” About American Center for Cures The American Center for Cures (ACC) initiative is a fully funded mission to prevent, treat or cure diseases that plague every American family. The initiative will be funded by the sale of $750B bonds by the Federal Reserve, providing the capital needed to accelerate the current trajectory of medicine. Annual interest will be paid through the licensing of new compounds and drugs to pharmaceutical companies. The principal will be repaid by savings provided to the United States Government through successes in the areas of prevention and cures. The ACC business model will cost the government and taxpayers nothing, making this the single most impactful investment on behalf of the American people in the nation’s history. For more information, please visit https://theamericancenterforcures.org. Contact Details Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://theamericancenterforcures.org

March 15, 2023 02:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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NuggMD Launches Leading Marijuana Telemedicine Service in Georgia

NuggMD

NuggMD, the nation's leading medical marijuana telemedicine platform, has launched its service in Georgia. For $139, Georgians can now use NuggMD’s platform to connect with a medical professional who can recommend cannabis for treatment of the state’s qualifying conditions. The launch comes amid a tense political, legal, and regulatory climate in Georgia for cannabis businesses and consumers. In 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed into law HB 324, which legalized low-THC medical cannabis oil in the state. However, that law has yet to be successfully implemented, with only two production facilities having been awarded licenses in the subsequent four years. While newly proposed legislation, HB 196, seeks to allow more cannabis licenses, its political fate is uncertain. Additionally, Georgia remains one of the dwindling states that still impose jail time for simple possession of unlicensed cannabis. Despite lacking a single legal cannabis dispensary and the fact that no provision in Georgia law suggests how a patient might lawfully obtain cannabis, an estimated 25,000 medical cannabis patients currently reside in Georgia, and the overall demand for legal cannabis is far greater. Alex Milligan, co-founder and CMO of NuggMD, said, "Georgia still has unfair criminal statutes for the simple possession of cannabis, which runs counter to the 2019 law that legalized some forms of the substance. As one of the only services Georgians can rely on to lawfully access cannabis, the irony of this contradiction is not lost on us. One way or another—and in accordance with state law—the availability of legal cannabis will soon be a reality in Georgia. We’ve expanded our operations there so that Georgians can prepare for this eventuality by receiving cannabis recommendations from credible, licensed medical professionals.” NuggMD's platform is available from 8 am until 10 pm local time, seven days a week. No appointment is needed, and patients who are deemed not to qualify for Georgia's medical cannabis program won't be charged for their evaluation. Since its founding in 2015, NuggMD has helped more than 1,000,000 patients access medical marijuana in nearly half of the nation's states. About NuggMD NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. They've connected over 1,000,000 patients face-to-face with their new medical marijuana doctors via their state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. They believe every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore every option in their journey to wellness. For further information, visit NuggMD.com. Contact Details Andrew Graham andrew.g@getnugg.com Company Website http://www.nuggmd.com

March 15, 2023 02:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spring Cleaning Your Brain Health

YourUpdateTV

Spring is almost here and it’s time to clear out the cobwebs and rethink and re-energize your health and wellness routines for the rest of the year. And while many people focus on physical health, it’s also important to think about your mental and emotional well-being. Recently, Nutrition Expert, Mia Syn, teamed with The Vitamin Shoppe on a nationwide satellite media tour to help boost your health and wellness going into Spring. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2NqDH4Uah-A Staying Hydrated Brain health is a critical piece of your overall health that can not only improve your physical health but can also create positive cognitive and emotional impacts that contribute to overall well-being. One thing many people forget about is proper Hydration. Hydration is essential as it assists blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which helps both brain and memory function. Waterdrop is a great way to drink more water and reach your daily hydration goals. Made from natural plant and fruit extracts for flavor, Waterdrop cubes are just dropped into a glass of water and provide you with energy from caffeine, plus essential vitamins and hydration – all without sugar. They come individually wrapped so you can bring them anywhere and just drop into your refillable water bottle! Impact of Stress on the Brain Stress can have many effects on brain health and our overall health, including physical symptoms like headaches and pains, but also things like memory, mood, anxiety levels, and social behaviors. Solaray’s SHARPMIND line of supplements is formulated with clinically studied nutrients, adaptogens and nootropics, to support mental and emotional well-being. The SHARPMIND Mood formula is formulated with holy basil and reishi mushrooms to support stress and mood levels. SHARPMIND Focus has Lion’s Mane mushrooms and Bacopa to support memory and cognitive health. There are also other unique formulas for sleep, energy, and stress, to support different areas of your well-being. Optimizing Physical and Mental Performance Like other parts of your body, your brain needs proper nutrition to perform at its best whether at work, home, or on-the-go. So, whether you want to improve cognitive function, or simply feel healthier and more energetic, we need to make sure our brains are getting what they need. Focus Factor from Synergy CHC contains a clinically-tested and patented combination of neuro-nutrients plus vitamins and minerals. This formula not only helps boost your memory and focus, but it can also replace your everyday multivitamin, making it an excellent 2-for-1 supplement option to help optimize your performance throughout the day. Sleep and Aging Many of us struggle to get the quality sleep we need, and after a night of tossing and turning, we often lack the energy, confidence, and clear thinking we need to accomplish our goals. Somnapure Sleep Gummies from Force Factor can help. Their 100% drug-free, non-habit-forming formula contains a 10 mg dose of melatonin which helps you relax before bed, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. And finally, as people age, our physical and mental performance may require more support. But there are ways for us to address these deficits and maintain our edge. Forebrain Advanced from Force Factor is formulated with brain-boosting herbs and advanced nootropics that can help you achieve better cognitive performance and improve memory and recall. For more information, visit vitaminshoppe.com About Mia Syn Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and founder of Nutrition by Mia, a popular online wellness destination frequented by millions of readers around the globe. She holds a Master of Science in human nutrition from Columbia University and has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Women's Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and SHAPE. As one of the most recognized and trusted young nutritionists in the country, she has helped hundreds of her clients and millions of her readers lose weight, improve their health and develop better sustainable eating habits for life. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 15, 2023 09:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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How Technology Is Helping Frontline Workers Get Healthy Food

Blendid

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Interested in investing in Blendid’s campaign? Click here to get started! Consumer demand for healthy food options has skyrocketed in recent years; COVID-19 put health on many people's minds and changed consumers’ standards as well as their priorities. A recent study showed that 54% of all consumers care more about the healthfulness of their food in 2020 than they did in 2010. Healthfulness is now the biggest determining factor in purchasing food, even more than taste and price. However, healthy food is not always accessible, especially for frontline workers or individuals who work overnight shifts. While McDonald’s and other fast-food chains of the world operate on a late-night or 24-hour model, you would be hard-pressed to find a health food store that is open late and can serve populations of workers like nurses, truck drivers, and more. For these late-night workers, their only real option is often unhealthy fast-food, and even fast food has become less of an option in the post-pandemic world. COVID-19 and labor shortages have resulted in fewer retailers with 24/7 service. Because of this, more and more previously 24/7 establishments like McDonald’s are closing early and leaving overnight shift workers without any options. Blendid, a robotic and AI-enabled food automation solution company, is creating clever solutions to this problem. The company has seen firsthand the success of a fully autonomous robotic kiosk for smoothies. Their kiosks operate in universities, travel centers, retail stores and hospitals across the country. The kiosks can operate 24/7, which gives consumers access to healthy and affordable food around the clock while the company is able to maintain low operational costs. Blendid’s 24/7 kiosks provide healthy alternatives for workers when they need them most. The company has kiosks at two Love’s Travel Stops in California and a location at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, among others. A truck driver who frequents one of the Love’s Travel Stops shared, “That juice-making robot is awesome. I loved watching it. Truck drivers need raw nutrition." The company’s robotic model enables fresh food to be offered where it previously hasn’t been and during all hours of the day, not just traditional daytime working hours. Not to mention, all Blendid locations offer the capability of ordering ahead and customizing ingredients to fit customers’ needs and nutritional wants. The company has seen a 267% revenue increase year-over-year which is unsurprising given the consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food. Not only is the kiosk model contactless, but also being open 24/7 increases the accessibility of healthy food. For college students or late-night workers, who typically have limited access to healthier foods, Blendid is giving people options they didn’t previously have. If projections are to be believed, the food robotics industry is only going to continue to grow. The global market for food robotics was estimated at $2.1 billion in 2022, and the market is projected to reach $4B by 2026. Companies like Blendid will be instrumental in the industry by providing unique experiences and options for consumers on the go. Technology is helping bring healthy and affordable food where people need it most. Blendid is currently hosting a raise to further expand its ingenious concept. The company is currently working on expanding to 10 additional geographies in the near future and has 500+ kiosks in contract. Previously, it raised more than $26 million which translated into significant revenue growth. Blendid could be well-positioned as an industry leader and seems eager to meet the consumer demand for on-the-go 24/7 healthy food. Interested in investing and being a part of their growth story? Click here to read more about Blendid’s raise and how to invest! This article was originally on Benzinga here. Sunnyvale-based Blendid is revolutionizing the future of food service with its proprietary food automation platform (foodOS™), which efficiently and safely prepares and serves a range of healthy, fresh, and delicious food. A pioneer of the future of food service, Blendid's first concept in the market is an autonomous, contactless kiosk that uses robotics, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and healthy ingredients to create delicious smoothies that are customized to meet the unique health and dietary preferences of each consumer. Founded in 2015 by seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Vipin Jain, Venki Avalur, and Vijay Dodd, Blendid is improving the consumer experience by offering safe, cost-effective, and personalized food on-demand, while also reducing complexities and costs for the operators. Blendid has raised more $20M to date from a mix of venture and crowdfunding investors and is currently raising its Series B investment round. Visit www.startengine.com/blendid for more information and to invest in the future of food service automation. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. Benzinga may receive monetary compensation from the issuer, or its agency, for publicizing the offering of the issuer’s securities. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This is a paid ad. Please see 17b disclosure linked in the campaign page for more information. Contact Details Erica Camilo 344130@email4pr.com Company Website http://www.blendid.com

March 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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OYO USA to Add Over 100 New Hotels to its Portfolio in 2023

OYO

Global travel technology company OYO 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. This expansion strategy 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. The company also recently onboarded some marquee properties such as Plaza on the Pike by OYO in Atlantic City, OYO Hotel Renton Bellevue in Seattle, Tulsa Square Hotel by OYO in Tulsa and OYO Hotel Hermiston in downtown Oregon Talking about the expansion plans, Gautam Swaroop, CEO OYO International said, “O ur US operations have seen significant growth in 2022. But 2023, may just be the best year for us. We are taking measures to add hotels in high RevPar leisure markets such as the Pacific Northwest and will also focus on improving our presence along the East Coast. Over 15 hotels have already signed up with us so far in 2023 and we expect to add many more in the coming months.” Nikhil Heda, Head of Business Development, OYO USA added, “We are excited by the response we are seeing in the market. Last year 35% of our new hotels came from recommendations or referrals by our existing hotel owners, indicating a growing trust in OYO’s demand & revenue generation capabilities. We are seeing growing demand coming in from both independent hotels as well as branded properties.” Commenting on their experience of working with OYO, Hiren Govind, owner of OYO Hotel McAllen Airport South said, “We onboarded our first hotel with OYO in 2019 and in the past few years our revenues have grown 2.5 times resulting in higher profits. Along with increased yield, the OYO team has also been of tremendous help in ensuring smooth operations. I look forward to adding a few more properties with OYO and drive similar growth and revenue with them.” 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. OYO has started offering hotels the flexibility of not having to invest heavily in redoing the hotel to match stringent brand guidelines, something that other budget hotel chains insist on. 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, 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/

March 14, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Starbucks Shareholder Seeks Removal of Howard Schultz as Director; Urges Company to Be Transparent About China Risks

National Legal & Policy Center

Ahead of Starbucks Corporation ’s annual meeting on March 23, National Legal and Policy Center is calling upon its fellow shareholders to support its proposal to provide greater transparency about the company’s risks of doing business in China, and to join NLPC in opposition to the reelection of outgoing CEO Howard Schultz to the board of directors. NLPC is sponsoring an “Annual Report on Company Operations in China” resolution at the meeting, which seeks transparency for shareholders that addresses “the nature and extent to which corporate operations depend on, and are vulnerable to, communist China….” The item is Proposal No. 7, found on page 79 of Starbucks’s proxy statement. NLPC’s response to the Starbucks board’s opposition to its proposal was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week. NLPC also is asking shareholders, in a memo filed with the SEC, to oppose the reelection of longtime (and soon former) CEO Howard Schultz to the company’s board of directors. An excerpt from NLPC’s filing on Schultz says: We believe that Mr. Schultz being removed from all leadership and advisory roles within the company would be the most effective transition. Additionally, given Mr. Schultz’s insistence on exponential growth in risk-laden communist China; his dubious and likely illegal anti-union tactics; and his harmful politicization of the Company, we believe that his complete removal would be beneficial for the development of Mr. Narasimhan and growth of Starbucks. “In the past – even when Howard Schultz had no formal title with Starbucks – he always lurked in the shadows, and seemed to intervene when he saw problems that he arrogantly believed only he could solve,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Disney had a similar situation last year with Bob Iger, who just couldn’t let the company go and undermined his successor before he returned, which led to the company’s worst year financially and image-wise in decades. Now Schultz may be doing the same with his aggressive union-busting efforts, which a federal judge has ruled are illegal.” On NLPC’s China proposal, Chesser said, “Mr. Schultz has built Starbucks’s presence in the communist nation beyond 6,000 stores, and has plans for thousands more, at a time of increasing geopolitical risk with U.S.-China relations approaching a critical point in hostilities. Shareholders must be thoroughly informed about the unique risks to the company that China’s aggression presents.” Finally, NLPC has also asked, in a memo filed with the SEC, for fellow Starbucks shareholders to support Proposal No. 9 on the proxy statement, which is sponsored by the Free Enterprise Project. The proposal asks the Company to create a special board committee to review the impacts of policies like its “Third Place Policy,” which opened its stores to anyone for the use of its restrooms and seating areas, regardless of whether they purchased anything. The practice has led to increased crime and unsafe environments around some stores, causing the closure of many of them. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

March 14, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TREAT YOURSELF WHILE MEETING YOUR HEALTH GOALS

YourUpdateTV

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to shed light on the food, meals, and habits that impact our overall health and wellness. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn did a satellite media tour to share a few tips and help you enhance your nutrition and wellness plans throughout the coming months. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/zjTgl7jM9CM The key part in planning a nutritional diet that is sustainable is to still enjoy the food that we eat. It’s hard to enjoy and stick with a diet plan when you don’t enjoy the taste. Get more protein into your daily diet An easy way to up your nutrition game is by adding a plant-based protein, like Vega, to your daily routine. Protein powders aren’t just for athletes, they’re an easy and convenient way to increase your protein intake. When it comes to finding a delicious plant-based protein, Vega Original Protein is the best way to get more for your dollar. It’s a great price and each serving has 25g of protein, zero sugar, and 3g of fiber. Even better, Vega Original Protein is rich & creamy, no clumps or grit – so it’s a seriously delicious way to get more protein into your daily diet. Whatever your nutrition goals are incorporating Vega Original Protein is the perfect addition to your routine. Keep your carb and calorie intake under control Another easy way to support your overall health and wellness is to keep an eye on the amount of added sugar and carbohydrates we consume daily. Consumer research shows that more than half of shoppers are looking for foods with less sugar and more than a third look for fewer carbohydrates on nutrition labels. To those following the Keto diet or just looking to make nutritious choices alike, Mission Foods ’ new Zero Net Carbs tortillas are a great option. They are not only zero net carbs and zero sugar, but also Keto-certified, high in fiber and low in calories and taste amazing. These tortillas are offered in two delicious flavors: Original — the flavor Mission customers know and love, and Sundried Tomato Basil — packed with zesty sundried tomatoes and fresh basil flavors to ensure consumers can lose the carbs without losing taste. Mission Foods’ Zero Net Carbs tortillas are available in stores across the U.S. and further the company’s legacy of innovating healthy, delicious, high-quality food that everyone can enjoy. Snacking without feeling guilty Snacking can be an issue for some people, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make it nutritious. Did you know walnuts are likely one of the heart healthiest foods found in your fridge? According to the latest research, eating walnuts in linked to heart health benefits. Walnuts are packed with nutrition and are the only nut that offer an excellent source of plant-based omega 3-ALA.There are endless ways for people to enjoy walnuts in their favorite dishes and snacks, and their versatility can serve both sweet and savory cravings throughout the day. Walnuts have a rich, nutty flavor and satisfying texture that is great for making plant-based walnut tacos or pizza bites. When you need a quick boost and you’re tempted by candy or chips, reach for a tasty, better-for-you made-with-walnuts snack instead. Pro tip: Make sure to store your walnuts in your fridge or freezer for optimal freshness! Check walnuts.org for recipes the whole family will love. Active and on the go? The Honey Stinger products are perfect for active individuals because they are designed with the right amount of protein, fat and carbs to help you achieve your own activity goals and because they are delicious it makes it easy. Honey Stinger products includes Waffles; Energy Chews; Bars and Hydration Mixes … all in variety of sizes and flavors. In fact, more than 1,000 pro and college teams trust Honey Stinger to help them achieve their performance goals and feel better while they do it. Launching this month is the new Honey Stinger Oat + Honey Bar which is a delicious new pre-workout bar to help you start strong. For more information, visit nutritionbymia.com About Mia Syn Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and founder of Nutrition By Mia, a popular online wellness destination frequented by millions of readers around the globe. She holds a Master of Science in human nutrition from Columbia University and has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Women's Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and SHAPE. As one of the most recognized and trusted young nutritionists in the country, she has helped hundreds of her clients and millions of her readers lose weight, improve their health and develop better sustainable eating habits for life. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 13, 2023 10:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Kona Gold Beverage, Inc Announces its Ooh La Lemin Lemonades to be sold in Town Pump Convenience Stores in Montana

KONA GOLD BEVERAGE INC.

McapMediaWire -- Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. (OTC: KGKG ), a holding company focused on product development and distribution in the better-for-you and functional beverage sector is pleased to announce its popular Ooh La Lemin Lemonades will be available for sale in Town Pump convenience stores in Montana. Of the Company's 10 SKU's of Ooh La Lemin, 3-7 SKU's will be sold in approximately 60 Town Pump convenience stores, with the number of SKU's depending on the size of the stores. Kona Gold's distribution partner, Hayden Beverage, will be distributing Ooh La Lemin to Town Pump Convenience Stores. In 1953, Tom and Mary Kenneally started Town Pump as a small full-service gas station in Butte, Montana. Today, Town Pump owns and operates over 200 gas station/convenience store, casino, hotel and car wash properties throughout Montana and Idaho. They proudly maintain lines of business in retail convenience stores featuring a wide variety of consumer goods working with vendors and suppliers to bring their customers variety and innovation along with high quality gasoline. "I am pleased to announce to our stockholders and customers, Ooh La Lemin Lemonades are coming to the popular Town Pump locations throughout Montana," stated Robert Clark, CEO of Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. "Our distribution partner, Hayden Beverage, will deliver our Ooh La Lemin Lemonades to approximately 60 Town Pump convenience stores across Montana. Hayden Beverage is quickly becoming one of Ooh La Lemin's leading distributors with their vast reach and experienced sales staff." Kona Gold's Ooh La Lemin Lemonades continue to out perform expectation in new and existing markets. The Company's sales team has launched Ooh La Lemin in several new states this year and has additional distribution partnerships coming on board in the very near future. Kona Gold Beverage recently announced its popular Ooh La Lemin Lemonades will be available for sale in Hot Spot convenience stores in North and South Carolina. Of the Company's 10 SKU's of Ooh La Lemin, 6 will be sold in all 40 Hot Spot convenience stores locations, 3 Sparkling Ooh La Lemin and 3 non-sparkling Ooh La Lemin Lemonades. Ooh La Lemin will be distributed by MR Williams, Kona Gold Beverage's new distribution partner in North and South Carolina, whose primary focus is Food Service and Convenience Stores. For more information regarding Town Pump please visit: https://www.townpump.com/ For more information regarding Kona Gold Beverage, please visit: https://konagoldbeverage.com/ About Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. Kona Gold Beverage, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has created wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kona Gold LLC, HighDrate, LLC, and Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC. Kona Gold, LLC has developed a premium Hemp-Infused Energy Drink line; please visit its website at www.konagoldhemp.com. HighDrate, LLC has developed the beverage industry's first CBD-Infused Energy Water, available in 6 delicious flavors; please visit its website at www.highdrateme.com. Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC was created to fill the Company's distribution needs in markets that it wants to enter quickly; please visit its website at www.goldleafdist.com. Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. recently rebranded its Lemin Lemonade to Ooh La Lemin Lemonade; please visit its website at www.oohlalemin.com. Kona Gold and its family of companies are located on the east coast of Florida in Melbourne and in Greer and Conway South Carolina. 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 use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1. 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. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: Robert Clark 844-714-2224 investorrelations@konagoldbeverage.com Contact Details Robert Clark +1 844-714-2224 investorrelations@konagoldbeverage.com

March 13, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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