News Hub | News Direct

Lifestyle

Beverage: Coffee/Tea/Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Spirits/Beer/Wine Casino/Gaming Fashion Food/Cooking/Baking Health & Fitness Home Goods Hospitality Leisure Activities & Hobbies Parenting Pets Photography Seniors Travel & Tourism
Article thumbnail News Release

Xip Secures $5 Million in Seed Funding and Announces $1 Million Creator Fund

Xip

Xip announced today it has secured $5 million in seed funding and launched a $1 million Creator Fund to support knowledge creators who produce educational, tutorial, or coaching content. As the first platform to bring the personalized video format popularized by Cameo to the online learning space, Xip connects learners with experts they know and love, who offer them personalized feedback through asynchronous videos. Jomayra Herrera from top education VC Reach Capital led the funding round with participation from LinkedIn Executive Chairman and Founding Partner of Next Play Ventures Jeff Weiner; Chief Operating Officer of MasterClass and angel investor Mark Williamson; Benjamin Grubbs from Next 10 Ventures; and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), among other compelling venture capitalists, startup founders, and operators. “We are thrilled to partner with the Xip team. We know the best type of learning is personalized, actionable, and in the moment,” said Jomayra Herrera from Reach Capital. “Xip enables exactly that by rethinking how consumers can learn from creators. It’s a moment of delight for learners and a great way to generate sustainable income for creators.” Xip connects users with popular knowledge creators on YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram, who frequently receive direct messages from fans asking for one-on-one help. Current Xip creators include notable coaches, professional athletes, musicians, and photographers. “For decades, one-on-one help has been shown to produce significantly better learning outcomes than one-size-fits-all instruction. Yet most of the advancement in the online learning space is of the one-size-fits-all variety,” said Xip Co-founder & CEO Chris Taylor. “Widespread access to high-quality content is great, but the options for personalized help are still lacking. Xip makes one-on-one instruction easily accessible to improve the way we all learn.” On average, creators earn four times higher hourly rates compared to synchronous Zoom lessons. Xip users find the platform incredibly helpful and give it five-star reviews 97% of the time. The Xip Creator Fund is designed to help creators kickstart their success as online instructors. Participating creators receive income guarantees, marketing support, equipment, waived setup fees, and additional resources to start earning meaningful income from helping their fans. “Starting an online coaching or instruction business is resource-intensive, and we want to help by investing in our creators,” Taylor said. “If you’re a creator who has dreamed of starting an online education business, we’re here to help you bring that dream to life.” In addition to the Creator Fund, Xip will use its seed round to invest in the team and product. Xip Co-founder & CTO Eddie Siegel said, "I'm looking forward to using this funding to grow our exceptional engineering team. We have a very exciting future ahead of us as we continue to invest in building the world-class tools that creators need to bring 1-1 learning to the masses!" For more information, visit www.xip.co. About Xip Xip delivers a personalized learning experience that changes the way people learn online. As the first platform to bring the customized video format popularized by Cameo to the online learning space, Xip connects learners with experts they know and trust, who offer them personalized feedback through asynchronous videos. Xip is devoted to true learning and improvement and enables tutorial creators to earn meaningful income by providing their fans with one-on-one help that scales. Visit Xip.co to learn more. Contact Details Trust Relations Alisha Dickinson +1 858-652-0061 xip@trustrelations.agency

June 15, 2022 01:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Logitix Expands Performing Arts Division to Help Theaters and Arts Events Optimize Ticket Sales

Logitix

Logitix, the leader in live event ticketing technology and analytics, announced they are expanding their performing arts division to help theaters optimize pricing, distribution, and inventory management of tickets. As part of their growth in performing arts, Logitix named longtime industry executive Jack Rubin as their strategic advisor. As the Co-Founder and former CEO of Tessitura Network, Rubin is one of the preeminent leaders in enterprise CRM, ticketing, marketing, fundraising, and analytics for theaters, arts centers, operas, festivals, dance companies, and orchestras. “Jack is an absolute icon in our industry and will be an essential part of our continued growth in the performing arts,” said Logitix President Greg Nortman. “As the most trusted solution for optimizing ticket sales, we look forward to helping even more live events within the performing arts industry.” Logitix optimizes ticket sale outcomes for all of its partners through proprietary dynamic pricing and ticket sales distribution through multiple channels. Its unique platform analyzes millions of real-time data points, providing up-to-the-minute insights within the live event marketplace. “I recognize that Logitix has the technology, data, and analytics expertise tied to sales distribution channels that can produce considerable revenue for the performing arts sector,” said Rubin “What they bring are new sales channels for these organizations. They are clearly building something special in the world of ticketing and I’m thrilled to be part of the journey.” Rubin was Co-Founder and CEO of Tessitura Network from the company's inception in 2001 until he stepped down during a long-planned transition in 2021. He guided the company from an initial two-person organization with two license holders, to over 725 organizations in ten countries using Tessitura. Rubin’s prior experience includes the position of Chief Financial and Strategic Officer of Hotels.com, where he assisted in a successful IPO for the company in 2000. Jack has an M.B.A. from the Wharton Graduate School and a B.B.A from the University of Texas. About Logitix Logitix is the preeminent monetization engine and ticketing platform for the live event industry, combining optimized pricing, distribution, and inventory management with real-time insights to help sellers and buyers respond to a rapidly changing market environment. The Logitix vision is to automate the entire ticket life cycle and provide data-driven insights to serve the diverse needs of its clients. The company is backed by ZMC and is privately held. For more information about Logitix, visit Logitix.com or find them on LinkedIn. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://logitix.com/

June 15, 2022 08:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

All Things Bugs Achieves World First with US Patent for the use of Insects in Sustainable Food Production

All Things Bugs LLC

All Things Bugs LLC, the world’s leading innovator in the insect industry, today announced that it has received a US patent for its unique production method as it continues to develop pioneering products and research in the use of insects as sustainable food ingredients. US patent No. 11,337,451, issued on May 24, is the first US patent specifically focussed on insects as a food source, and it confirms All Things Bugs and its Founder and President Dr Aaron T Dossey as leaders in their field. The firm also has similar issued patents in Canada and Mexico. All Things Bugs is the world’s first insect-based food wholesaler, and, for the last decade, the company has developed products, services and research to promote insects as a viable alternative to traditional protein sources such as meat and dairy. All Things Bugs has focussed its efforts in four key areas: 1) Food product development 2) Insect processing and ingredients 3) Cutting-edge insect farming automation 4) Insect genomics and genetic engineering The patent provides recognition of the company’s spray-drying technology, and opens up new opportunities for the use of insects in global food production. All Things Bugs’ patented breakthrough involves the development of a new wet-grinding and drying technique that ensures edible insects can be ground into a fine powder. It is a process that works equally well with all insects including superworms, crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, locusts, katydids, caterpillars or flies - emphasizing its versatility, and making it cost-effective to produce. Crucially, it is an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way to increase protein content across a whole range of foods. The end product is a super fine, light-colored powder with a neutral aroma and flavor, which can be blended with other ingredients to make numerous food and beverage products, such as pasta, baked goods, shakes, smoothies, meat alternatives, puffed extruded snacks, bars, cereals, tortillas, pet food / treats and many others. The growing need for a sustainable source of protein. Global food production has long relied on meat and dairy products as its main source of protein. This has had a devastating impact on the environment, with costly resources required to sustain it. Huge amounts of land are cleared every year for farming and agriculture, with water and feed production for cows, pigs, chickens, and even most plant-based proteins generating massive land and water use as well as vast energy consumption on a global scale. By comparison, insects make up the largest most diverse group of organisms on Earth. They are nature’s most sustainable protein source, yet very little has been done to utilize insects for people and for our planet. All Things Bugs takes a holistic view of the benefits insects can bring to humankind. As well as food production, the company is using genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR to develop insects as a vehicle to manufacture non-food bioproducts for livestock and wild animal vaccines, antibiotics, biomaterials, enzymes and other applications. Its valuable work continues to benefit researchers, entrepreneurs, farmers, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable food production and the industrial use of insects. “This patent represents a historic opportunity for a shift in mindset towards an overall healthier planet,” said Dr Aaron T Dossey, Founder and President of All Things Bugs. “It proves the potential for turning insects into high quality ingredients efficiently and cost effectively. But, more than that, it is an ethical and sustainable solution to the ongoing challenge of scaling up food production without damaging life on earth in the process.” Dr Dossey published the first text book on the subject, Insects as Sustainable Food Ingredients, and is a leading authority in the field, providing valuable guidance on how to develop the insect-based agriculture, food, and biomaterial industries. For further information, contact info@allthingsbugs.com or visit https://allthingsbugs.com/ About All Things Bugs LLC All Things Bugs is the world’s leading innovator in the insect industry. Insects make up the largest most diverse group of organisms on Earth. They are the most sustainable protein source on the planet, beating out other animal and even plant protein sources. They also require far fewer resources such as land, water and feed to produce than animals and most plants, but very little has been done to utilize insects for the benefit of people and our planet. All Things Bugs develops sustainable insect-based solutions, technologies, and products for agriculture, food, and medicine. Contact Details All Things Bugs LLC Dr. Aaron T. Dossey +1 352-281-3643 info@allthingsbugs.com

June 15, 2022 07:00 AM Central Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Long-Time Indianapolis Fruit Leader Stepping Back

FreshEdge

Indianapolis Fruit, a member of the FreshEdge family of produce and specialty food companies shares that, effective July 4, 2022, John Cunningham will transition from COO of Indianapolis Fruit to Distribution and Retail Advisor. He will focus on deepening customer relationships, mentoring and developing the evolving executive team, and advising on strategic initiatives. “We’re excited for John to continue positively impacting our team and our customers’ business. He has a tremendous track record of elevating performance,” said Daniel Corsaro, President of Indianapolis Fruit Company. “John has been a great member of our family and has been critical to our growth and development! We are very grateful for everything he has done and look forward to the insight and great things that he will accomplish with our evolving leaders,” said Greg Corsaro, President and COO of FreshEdge, LLC, the parent company of Indianapolis Fruit. “I’m excited to announce that after 40 plus years in the produce industry and 19 with Indianapolis Fruit and the FreshEdge Team, I’ve decided to step back. I’m looking forward to enjoying my personal and professional life at a different pace. I’m eager to continue to work with Daniel Corsaro and our team to enhance our retail merchandising and education programs,” said John Cunningham, Indianapolis Fruit Company. Indianapolis Fruit will continue to be led by Daniel Corsaro, President, and the existing executive team. As part of this transition, Ross Nelson will transition from Vice President of Retail Execution to Vice President of Procurement. About Indianapolis Fruit Indianapolis Fruit, a FreshEdge company, distributes fresh produce, value-added, specialty foods, and floral to retail grocers in 20 states across the Midwest, central, and southeastern areas of the United States. Offering more than 3,500 available skus, 500 plus organic items, and a full-service fresh cut division, Indianapolis Fruit continues to deliver on what consumers want. For more information, visit www.indyfruit.com Contact Details Indianapolis Fruit Company Daniel Corsaro, President +1 317-981-3442 dccorsaro@indyfruit.com Company Website https://indyfruit.com/

June 14, 2022 10:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Dorai Home Welcomes Alicia DeFinis as New Chief Executive Officer

Dorai Home

Dorai Home, a leading developer of eco-chic home products that help prevent mold with instant-drying materials, today announced it has appointed retail leader, Alicia DeFinis, as its Chief Executive Officer. In this new role, DeFinis will help scale Dorai Home’s operations in 2022 and beyond through the expansion of its team as well as the introduction of new market channels and innovative products. The company’s founding partners, Jason Klug and Kelsey O’Callaghan, will remain on the Board of Directors and will continue to partner on future product design and manufacturing through Klug’s company, Klugonyx. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Alicia as the first CEO of Dorai Home,” said Jason Klug, CEO and founder of Klugonyx and Dorai Home co-founder and President of the Board of Directors. “Her impressive track record of driving innovation across multiple retail platforms will benefit the entire Dorai team, as well as our customers. We are confident she'll continue to lead the company with a clear focus and help grow Dorai as it enters into untapped markets.” With over a decade of experience in the retail and e-commerce industries, DeFinis most recently served as Vice President of Partner Growth at Walker Edison (a Blackstone Company), where she was responsible for their North American partner ecosystem including development, channels, sales, and onboarding. Prior to joining Walker Edison, DeFinis held several positions at Walmart Marketplace as well as senior positions at both Amazon and Pure Storage. With a continued 300 percent year-over-year growth since the founding in 2018, Dorai Home aims to become a $100 million dollar brand in the next three to five years with DeFinis’s lead in omnichannel sales strategy into new global markets. “I’m humbled and honored to take on the role of CEO at Dorai Home,” said Alicia DeFinis, CEO of Dorai Home. “The company’s continued momentum is astounding and I look forward to taking Dorai’s vision of becoming the leading eco-chic home brand offering thoughtfully designed housewares to the next stage of growth.” DeFinis holds a bachelor's degree from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. She currently resides in Utah with her husband. DeFinis will be attending The Global Ecommerce Acceleration Summit 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, from June 15-16, 2022. To schedule a meet and greet, please reach out here. About Dorai Home Dorai Home, eco-chic home products that help prevent mold with instant-drying materials, is a rapidly growing D2C brand that creates thoughtfully designed housewares made of eco-friendly materials that dry instantly. Dorai products are made from Diomat®, Dorai’s instant-drying technology that combines the moisture-banishing properties of diatomaceous earth with recycled paper fibers—a natural, eco-friendly way to prevent mold. Dorai Home was started in 2018 by two founders with operational expertise that has enabled 300% YOY growth. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City. Learn more at https://doraihome.com/. Contact Details Dorai Home Sara Reister +1 215-896-3243 info@doraihome.com Company Website https://doraihome.com/

June 14, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Mike Bako’s Guide to Father’s Day Gifts That Will Become Year-Round Favorites

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/OjMDmH1C4OQ Thinking about what to get dad for Father’s Day? Wondering what to get for the guy who has everything? Looking to avoid cliched gifts like ties and coffee mugs? You’re not alone. Mike Bako, the Modern Man, Trends Editor of Daily National, father of two beautiful boys, has some ideas that can help. With Father’s Day around the corner, many of us are scrambling to figure out the perfect gift for dad, without resorting to old standbys. This year, it’s time to get creative, and find something Dad will actually use and enjoy. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey spending on gifts for Father’s Day is expected to total $20 billion. That comes out to around $170 on average that people will spend honoring dad. Spending patterns also reflect the sentimental nature of the holiday as consumers are prioritizing unique and meaningful gifts. That means everyone will be looking for ways to manage and save their money, discover deals, and most importantly…shop smart. Gift ideas that can help dad around the house: This time of year, so many of us are prepping the outside of our homes and backyards for the warm summer months ahead. BBQ cleaned off, pool uncovered, grass mowed, but what about inside our homes and what about when the inevitable, unwanted, and pesky insects pay a visit. If you find yourself in that situation or the dad in your life does, there is a great product from Zevo that can help and makes a great gift. The Zevo Flying Insect Trap eliminates flying insects without spraying chemical insecticides. Just plug it into any wall socket to activate an irresistible blue light to continuously attract and trap insects over time into a powerful adhesive backing you never have to touch! The trap has no chemical insecticides, no odors, and no messes, so you can confidently and discreetly use it in any room. Traps conveniently work day and night to help protect your family from pesky flying insects. For information: https://zevoinsect.com/flying-insect-trap-starter-kit-model-3/ How to shop smart: If you want to be smart with your spending, you want to buy things that the dad in your life will use. For the dad that likes to entertain and grill in the backyard, road trip, tailgate, camp or go fishing, the Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore Leakproof Square 12 Can Cooler is sure to keep his beverages ice-cold the entire day. Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore Leakproof Square 12 Can Cooler For the dads on the go there is a great option from Duluth Trading Company. Its their Buck Naked Boxers. No pinch. No stink. No Sweat! Almost feels as if you are wearing no underwear at all! They’re stretchy, yet supportive too, for extra ease when you’re climbing or kneeling. They also wick sweat for efficiently than any cotton skivvies out there to keep you drier. Plus, they’re treated to fight order. Men’s Buck Naked Boxers The best part about gifting either of these items and if you do want to be smart with your spending is that you can get them on Ibotta. Ibotta is a leading free cash back rewards platform and they offer cash back rewards on purchases from more than 2,700+ leading brands and retail partners. There have been more than 40 million downloads to date making it one of the most frequently used shopping platforms in the U.S. To date, Ibotta shoppers have redeemed more than $1.1 billion in cash back rewards For more information, visit dailynational.com About Mike Bako Mike Bako is a broadcast and digital journalist. Reuters, FOX News, Fox Business, WPIX in New York, and ESPN Radio all frequently rely on Mike’s insights on new trends, current events, sports, and culture. He currently serves as editor of the lifestyle and news website Daily National. Mike is also a father to two beautiful boys, Henry and Evan. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 13, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

Celebrate National Candy Month in June

YourUpdateTV

Kick off summer with National Candy Month in June! This month-long celebration occurs each June to celebrate Americans’ favorite confectionery treats, their contributions to emotional well-being and the good times they bring to summer occasions. Recently, Lauren Boland and Carly Schildhaus from the National Confectioners Association participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Americans’ favorite candies and the connection between candy and emotional well-being. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/01lDotBhb2U Confectionery enjoys a special place in American life all year round, but as Americans embark on road trips, beach vacations and other summer adventures, chocolate and candy will play an even more important role in their celebrations. In fact, 71% of Americans say their summer holiday celebrations will involve these fun treats, according to a National Confectioners Association survey. Some more findings from the survey: 83% of people headed on a road trip this summer will enjoy chocolate and candy. 63% of beachgoers in the U.S. will bring candy with them. 76% of Americans who plan to go camping will bring candy. The survey also reveals that when in the mood for something sweet, Americans prefer chocolate, gummy candy and taffy for summer adventures, with watermelon, cherry and strawberry as their favorite summer candy flavors. As National Candy Month begins, the confectionery industry continues to provide chocolate and candy treats in a variety of sizes, types and formats for all types of consumers to enjoy, whether they’re having a piece of chocolate, sharing something sweet with a friend or celebrating a special moment or occasion. Regardless of how they consume their favorite treats, the average American enjoys chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging 40 calories per day and just one teaspoon of added sugar per day. For more information on National Candy Month, visit NationalCandyMonth.com. About the National Confectioners Association (NCA): The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the U.S. confectionery industry, which generates more than $37 billion in retail sales each year. Making chocolate, candy, gum and mints, the industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and work to ensure that chocolate and candy are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 13, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video
Article thumbnail News Release

Prepare Today with ReadyWise for the 2022 Hurricane Season

ReadyWise, Inc.

With the 2022 hurricane season underway, ReadyWise, the leader in Emergency Food Supplies, is here to help families prepare ahead of time. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, we will see another unusually active hurricane season in 2022 with an estimated six major hurricanes. As we have seen from history, storms can be detrimental to communities. When government resources are strained, it can be days-if, not weeks-before fresh food is available. If you are in a hurricane-prone region, know the risks in your area and secure backup food, water, power, and a bug-out bag. ReadyWise is here to alleviate some stress with their Hurricane Essentials Sale. "I recommend putting together a hurricane basics kit with food, water, a light source, a phone charger, and a first aid kit," says John Dawson, Meteorologist at Fox 26 Houston. "ReadyWise partners with organizations like the American Red Cross and has created hurricane-specific products geared towards emergency preparedness with a long shelf life." If you want to learn more about what products are best suited for hurricane preparedness, follow John Dawson on Fox 26 to check out reviews on hurricane-tested gear. ReadyWise has created a collection page of hurricane essentials with meal solutions and bug-out bags. They offer limited-time deals while supplies last, like their buy three, get one FREE deal on their 2022 Limited Edition Hurricane Kit Family Bundle. Each kit includes three days' worth of food and drink with 12 servings of lunch/dinner, 8 servings of breakfast entrees, and 12 servings of milk with up to a 25-year shelf life. They have also created ready-to-go bug-out bags with their buy three, get one FREE Survival Backpack Bundle. These are perfect for any evacuation scenario and include 32 total servings of food, 5 water pouches, first aid and hygiene kit, and additional supplies like a portable stove, flashlight, waterproof matches, a mylar blanket, and more. Over the last couple of years, we have seen the tole that panic buying takes on communities, so don’t wait until a warning is issued and the stores are empty and closed. There are great ways to stay up to date, like listening to local weather alerts and using the NOAA Hurricane Tracker tool. This tracker shows active storms in real-time in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific regions, monitored via satellites. They also offer informational tips to prepare for a hurricane, including creating a family emergency plan, having an evacuation plan, and steps to strengthen your home. "Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena," states the NOAA. "By knowing what actions to take before the hurricane season begins, when a hurricane approaches, and when the storm is in your area and what to do after a hurricane leaves your area, you can increase your chance of survival." FloridaDisaster.org has created an online disaster supply checklist that you can download to ensure you have all the essentials covered. This includes important documents secured, pet care items, a list of phone numbers, first aid items, and special items like those for infants and family members with disabilities. For food, they recommend non-perishable packaged foods much like ReadyWise's freeze-dried ready-to-eat meals where you just add water. ReadyWise is the only disaster-proof food company that allows you to rehydrate your meal even without power if you have water, hot or cold. They also have disaster-proof packaging featured in their Emergency Grab Bag Bundle. This buy three, get one FREE deal is a two-day meal solution. Each bag contains 60 servings of food in a 10L dry bag. You can reuse this waterproof bag to store items like documents and electronics in case of flooding. To shop and learn more about ReadyWise products, go to www.ReadyWise.com. Follow John Dawson from Fox 26 Houston on social media for up-to-date hurricane news and gear reviews. About ReadyWise Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, ReadyWise is a provider of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods for emergency preparedness, everyday consumption, outdoor activities. The Company was founded in 2008 and has over 175 employees. More information on ReadyWise can be found on the firm’s website www.readywise.com. Contact Details ReadyWise, Inc Tim Lawlor +1 801-383-1356 tlawlor@readywise.com

June 10, 2022 05:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail Digital Asset Direct

How Parents Can Help Kids Financially Prepare For Post-Graduation

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

June 10, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video
1 ... 158159160161162 ... 270