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The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation Awards 19 Students With $75,000 in Scholarships

SFAA

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation (SFAA Foundation) announced today the 19 students selected as recipients of a $2,500 scholarship as part of the Surety and Fidelity Intern and Scholarship Program for 2023. Started in 2003, the program helps increase diversity within the surety and fidelity industry by attracting underrepresented students into the field. “I am impressed by our scholarship recipients’ level of professionalism as interns and their academic accomplishments,” said Larry Taylor, president of The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation and president at Merchants Bonding Company. “The Foundation’s Board of Trustees is thrilled to award each student a $2,500 scholarship, and we look forward to seeing these talented individuals pursue surety and fidelity careers upon graduation.” “These 19 students represent the future of the surety and fidelity industry, and on behalf of the SFAA Foundation, I would like to congratulate them,” said Peter Roth, SFAA’s VP Marketing, Communications and Research. “We are grateful to our member companies, industry partners, and individuals whose donations to the SFAA Foundation make this program a success.” The 2023 Surety and Fidelity Intern and Scholarship Program scholarship recipients are as follows: Kane Perez, Clayton State University – The Hartford Sebastian Romero Lalama, Occidental College – The Hartford Ashley Oswald, West Chester University of Pennsylvania – IAT Insurance Group Thomas Hunt, University of North Texas – IAT Insurance Group Thompson Cole, San Francisco State University – IAT Insurance Group Carolina de Barros Antonucci, University of Washington, Bothell – Liberty Mutual Group Erica Johnson, Iowa State University – Merchants Bonding Company Aubree Altman, Iowa State University – Merchants Bonding Company Kaleb Shah, Grinnell College – Merchants Bonding Company Isabella Wade, Gettysburg College – Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Davis Telleen, St. John's University – Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Grace Long, Catholic University of America – Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Serra Vithlani, University of California, Los Angeles – Sompo International Allison Musser, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance Evan Punches, University of Arizona – Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance Megan Flaherty, University of the Pacific – Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance Rainerio Reyes, Wesleyan University – Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance Samantah Paz, University of the Pacific – Travelers Bond and Specialty Insurance Amanda Noonan, Bryant University – Westfield Group For information on the Surety and Fidelity Intern and Scholarship Program or to make a donation, please visit www.surety.org The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry. Based in Washington, D.C., SFAA works to promote the value of surety and fidelity bonding by proactively advocating on behalf of its members and stakeholders. The association’s more than 425 member companies write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. For more information visit www.surety.org. Contact Details Peter Roth +1 703-401-0676 proth@surety.org Company Website https://surety.org/

October 18, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Contract Management Associations Join Forces to Globally Elevate Profession

National Contract Management Association

Reston, VA and Ridgefield, CT – October 17, 2023 – Today, the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and World Commerce and Contracting (WorldCC), the world's foremost authorities in the field of contract management, proudly announce a groundbreaking joint venture. This partnership is set to revolutionize the profession around the world. Contract management is the bedrock of successful business and social outcomes, underpinning transactions that drive economies and society forward. Recognizing the paramount importance of this profession, WorldCC and NCMA are uniting to advance a common and worldwide understanding of both public and commercial contracting practices. One of the core pillars of this joint venture is the commitment to consensus-based updates. At its heart, this collaboration aims to continually refine and expand the application of the Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™). By harnessing their collective expertise, they intend to adapt the CMS™ to accurately reflect the ever-evolving landscape of contract management in today's intricate global context and drive the growing adoption of the CMS™ for academic recognition of contract management. In addition to CMS™, this partnership will provide a wealth of guidance resources that are invaluable to professionals in the field. These resources will focus on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the realm of contract management. This initiative is poised to empower practitioners by unlocking the full potential of AI, leading to enhanced efficiency, precision, and innovative practices. Sally Guyer, WorldCC's Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the venture. "Our shared vision is to elevate the profession of contract management and ensure that it remains at the forefront of industry practices. By unifying our efforts, we can deliver cutting-edge guidance and resources that will empower professionals worldwide." NCMA's Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone partnership, stating, "This joint venture marks a new era for contract management professionals. Together, we'll elevate CMS™ globally, setting a new standard for excellence and creating a common contracting language." The announcement was made at WorldCC's Americas Summit in Dallas TX. Further details will be discussed at NCMA's Government Contract Management Symposium November 6th and 7th in Bethesda, MD. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a nonprofit professional society founded in 1959, is an important resource for contract management and its nexus with related acquisition communities. With nearly 20,000 members, NCMA is dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice and profession through education, certification, and networking opportunities. NCMA serves through an open exchange of ideas in neutral forums of buyers and sellers. Visit ncmahq.org to learn more. About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 organizations across 180 countries, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts, and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. Visit worldcc.com to learn more. Contact Details National Contract Management Association Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org WorldCC Kate Hodgins media@worldcc.com Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

October 18, 2023 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Contract Management Associations Join Forces to Globally Elevate Profession

National Contract Management Association

Today, the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and World Commerce and Contracting (WorldCC), the world's foremost authorities in the field of contract management, proudly announce a groundbreaking joint venture. This partnership is set to revolutionize the profession around the world. Contract management is the bedrock of successful business and social outcomes, underpinning transactions that drive economies and society forward. Recognizing the paramount importance of this profession, WorldCC and NCMA are uniting to advance a common and worldwide understanding of both public and commercial contracting practices. One of the core pillars of this joint venture is the commitment to consensus-based updates. At its heart, this collaboration aims to continually refine and expand the application of the Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™). By harnessing their collective expertise, they intend to adapt the CMS™ to accurately reflect the ever-evolving landscape of contract management in today's intricate global context and drive the growing adoption of the CMS™ for academic recognition of contract management. In addition to CMS™, this partnership will provide a wealth of guidance resources that are invaluable to professionals in the field. These resources will focus on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the realm of contract management. This initiative is poised to empower practitioners by unlocking the full potential of AI, leading to enhanced efficiency, precision, and innovative practices. Sally Guyer, WorldCC's Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the venture. "Our shared vision is to elevate the profession of contract management and ensure that it remains at the forefront of industry practices. By unifying our efforts, we can deliver cutting-edge guidance and resources that will empower professionals worldwide." NCMA's Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone partnership, stating, "This joint venture marks a new era for contract management professionals. Together, we'll elevate CMS™ globally, setting a new standard for excellence and creating a common contracting language." The announcement was made at WorldCC's Americas Summit in Dallas TX. Further details will be discussed at NCMA's Government Contract Management Symposium November 6th and 7th in Bethesda, MD. For media inquiries, please contact: Holly DeHesa, NCMA Director of Marketing and Communications holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Kate Hodgins, WorldCC Head of Marketing media@worldcc.com The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a nonprofit professional society founded in 1959, is an important resource in the field of contract management. With nearly 20,000 members, NCMA is dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice and profession through education, certification, and networking opportunities. NCMA serves through an open exchange of ideas in neutral forums of buyers and sellers. Visit www.ncmahq.org to learn more. About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 organizations across 180 countries, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts, and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. Visit worldcc.com to learn more. Contact Details NCMA Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

October 17, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Demand for Online Writing and Content Creation Jobs Intensifies, finds Freelancer.com

FREELANCER.COM

Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) (OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today released its quarterly report revealing the most in-demand online jobs on the platform for Q3 2023. The Fast 50 Q3 2023 report, a quarterly dataset ranking the fastest growing and falling jobs on the platform, analyzed over 277,000 jobs posted by employers to Freelancer.com between July and September 2023. According to the data, the fastest growing freelance jobs by percentage growth in Q3 2023 were mostly writing, content creation and marketing related. As AI continues to advance, the need for human creativity remains strong. Employers are once again seeking freelancers to support with Creative Writing and Content Writing projects, which are up 22.4% and 19.4% respectively. A surge in demand for writing skills across the platform means there were more than 10,000 additional writing projects available in Q3 2023, which were already a trending skill evident in the previous quarter. The Q3 2023 data also indicates a consistent trend in businesses seeking freelance marketing support, with Search Engine Marketing (up 24.1%), Videography (up 17.4%) and Telemarketing (up 16.5%) seeing notable growth across the quarter. This aligns with the previous quarter's emphasis on business marketing activities. “Our Freelancer Fast 50 Report is a forward leading indicator of the skills and expertise businesses need today. Artificial Intelligence is powering a boom in content creation, particularly focusing on writing, marketing and video production skills” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer. “Generative AI is superskilling freelancers and their ability to produce extremely high quality content and faster than ever before. Tools like ChatGPT and Bard have changed the game when it comes to producing and refining written content, while advances in video AI such as Runway Gen-2, HeyGen and Pika Labs means that video production and editing can be done with a click of a button.” Growth in skills like User Interface / IA (up 17.4% from 3,071 to 3,607) and UX / User Experience (up 13.9% from 1,193 to 1,359) highlight the importance of user-centric design in today's digital landscape. Data Mining (up 14.9% from 2,374 to 2,728) and Data Processing (up 10% from 11,013 to 12,115) were also amongst the top growing jobs. These skills are often associated with Sales functions and Lead Generation, which are also growing in the quarter, up 13.3% and 11.4% respectively. By leveraging freelancers to research leads, businesses can operate more efficiently and focus more on relationship building in the sales process. Design, Marketing and Video Creation Jobs Lead Year-on-Year Growth Several skills have surged in demand when comparing Q3 2022 and Q3 2023. Jobs for User Interface (UI) Design have doubled, growing by 101.9% to 3,607 from 1,786 in the same period last year. Search Engine Marketing jobs grew 80.4% (from 1,597 to 2,881) and Videography jumped by 77.1% (from 2,716 to 4,809). Fastest Falling Jobs of Q3 2023 The recent data highlights a shift in the demand for specific technical skills, which saw a significant increase last year as many tech companies laid off technical staff. There's a noticeable decline in jobs for certain established programming languages and frameworks. For instance, Matlab and Mathematica saw a 25.1% decrease (from 1,349 to 1,011 jobs). Similarly, projects requiring skills in AngularJS jobs dropped by 23.5% (from 1,722 to 1,318), while those requiring Django experts experienced a decline of 23.4% (from 1,216 to 932). C Programming, C++ Programming, and Python, which were all in-demand skills in Q3 2022, also all decreased on the platform in Q3 2023. While algorithms remain integral to many processes, there's been a reduction in specialized roles in this domain. This trend is evident in the decrease in demand for Algorithm skills, which saw a decrease of 22.5% (from 1,438 to 1,114 jobs). This might be a consequence of the advent of more intuitive tools and platforms that simplify algorithmic tasks. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fast 50 Q1 2023 - Data Analysis Writing Jobs Show No Sign Of Slowing Down The introduction of highly sophisticated and powerful generative AI tools have led many experts and commentators to predict that skills such as writing will be replaced by AI. However, the latest Fast 50 Q3 data demonstrates that writing jobs are here to stay, as content writing, creative writing, copy typing and ghostwriting jobs increase by more than 20% over the last quarter. These skills continue to flourish after reporting growth in the previous quarter on Freelancer.com, with Creative Writing ranked as the fastest growing skills in Q2 2023 (up 58%, from 1,868 to 2,961). An Increase in writing skills for two quarters in a row suggest that businesses are placing more emphasis on content creation by hiring freelancers to write articles and produce creative content. Copy Typing, the fastest growing skill for Q3’23 (up 28.7% from 6,381 to 8,213) encompasses all types of jobs from data entry to helping write e-books to transcription and typist projects. While technical projects do require degrees and past experience, most copy typing jobs can be performed by freelancers with no prior knowledge, making it a lucrative side hustle for freelancers globally. AI’s Impact on Whitecollar Jobs While writing jobs continue to flourish over the past 6 months, there is a need to understand how generative AI will impact jobs and various freelancing skills. In a longform essay titled ‘ AI know what you did last summer ’, Freelancer.com CEO Matt Barrie discusses the bleeding edge of AI technology and how he predicts these will go on the shape white-collar jobs. Barrie suggests that to be competitive in a world of AI, workers will need to adapt or move up the stack: “Those in white collar jobs will need to move ‘up the stack’. Illustrators become cinematographers. Writers become editors. Software developers become product managers. Grad students now run a research group.” Barrie also highlights that there is a major opportunity for freelancers, arguing that AI-powered freelancers will ultimately be the winners as they have the ability to compete against middle class workforces all around the world. AI’s impact on work productivity is evident in a recent AI study conducted by Freelancer.com which found that in a survey of over 1,300 US workers, a majority of those US workers (75%) are using generative AI tools in their work. One in three (33%) workers are using AI tools all the time in their work, while one quarter of US workers (25%) are using these tools sometimes and one sixth (16%) admit to never using AI at work. Marketing & Video Production Sustain Growth, Growing Every Quarter in 2023 Marketing and Video Production skills are one of the most in-demand skill categories on the platform, with data showing they’ve now grown every quarter since the beginning of the year. Search Engine Marketing (up 24.1%, from 2,321 to 2,881) ranked as the third fastest growing skill on the platform. Telemarketing (up 16.5%, from 1,054 to 1,228) has grown in Q3 as businesses turn towards more traditional marketing tactics. Sustained growth in different types of marketing skills means there are many opportunities for skilled freelancers to find unique projects on the platform. As for video production, not only is the skill up quarter-on-quarter, but both Video Production and Videography have almost doubled when compared to the same time last year, up 58.1% and 77.1% respectively. The surge in freelancer video production jobs can be attributed to the booming demand for online content, especially on platforms like YouTube (up 10.3%, from 1,174 to 1,295 jobs in Q3) and TikTok. As content is a staple in many marketing strategies, businesses are turning to freelancers to help them produce content, boosting this as a potential category for workers. Businesses Delegating Sales Functions to Freelancers As found in the Freelancer.com World’s Most Boring Job research, businesses often delegate research heavy tasks to on-demand freelancers. In turn, this allows businesses the ability to operate more efficiently and focus on more impact-based tasks. A unique trend uncovered in the Fast 50 Q3 2023 shows that businesses are leaning on freelancers to help with the research portion of the sales function. Sales and Lead Generation ranked as some of the fastest growing jobs in the quarter, up 13.3% and 11.4% respectively. Interestingly, Sales and Lead Generation both featured in the top 25 fastest growing jobs in Q2 2023. Growth in sales and lead generation is an example of how businesses are employing freelancers to help them streamline the sales process. ###### Freelancer Fast 50 The Freelancer Fast 50 report is the world’s largest forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. The data is based on 277,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer.com platform between July 1 to September 30 2023. Fast 50 Q3 2022 vs Q3 2023 Fast 50 Q2 2023 vs Q3 2023 Data About Freelancer Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 69 million registered users have posted over 23.1 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer owns Escrow.com, the leading provider of secure online payments and online transaction management for consumers and businesses on the Internet with over US$5 billion in transactions secured. Freelancer also owns Freightlancer & Loadshift, enterprise freight marketplaces with over 550 million kilometers of freight posted since inception. 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. Forward-looking statements This document contains certain "forward-looking statements". The words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "project", "forecast", "estimate", “outlook”, “upside”, "likely", "intend", "should", "could", "may", "target", "plan" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance, including Freelancer’s FY23 outlook, are also forward-looking statements, as are statements regarding Freelancer’s plans and strategies and the development of the market. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Freelancer, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Freelancer cannot give any assurance or guarantee that the assumptions upon which management based its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct or exhaustive beyond the date of its making, or that Freelancer's business and operations will not be affected by other factors not currently foreseeable by management or beyond its control. Such forward-looking statements only speak as at the date of this announcement and Freelancer assumes no obligation to update such information. The release, publication or distribution of this document in jurisdictions outside Australia may be restricted by law. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. Contact Details Freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 mzitko@freelancer.com

October 12, 2023 07:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time

NAVEX 2023 Regional Whistleblowing Hotline Benchmark Report Reveals Rise in Reports Across All Regions

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, today announced the publication of its 2023 Regional Whistleblowing Hotline Benchmark Report. Utilising over 1.5 million anonymised customer reports received in 2022, and with a focus on four geographic regions, NAVEX provides this annual analysis to help risk and compliance practitioners understand and benchmark their program performance against regional peers. This year, key findings include a boost in the volume of reports across all regions but with growing caution from reporters - as evidenced by an increase in anonymous reports. The study also highlights a reduction in health and safety reports, and a rise in HR-related reports. “NAVEX’s immense repository of industry data is one of a kind,” said Florian Haarhaus, International General Manager at NAVEX. “Our annual report’s data will empower Chief Compliance Officers in Europe to enhance their programs with benchmarking. This will help them continue to evolve the efficacy of their programs to drive business outcomes that matter most.” Report volumes increase; reporters become more cautious Median report volume per 100 employees rose for all regions comparing 2022 to 2021. As volumes increased, so has the share of reports submitted anonymously. Until only recently, reporters were far more likely to put their name to a report than in years past. This may reflect a greater sense of caution among workers in all regions, where generalised economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability could be contributing to an apparent retreat in named reporting. Interestingly, reports made by reporters based in Europe were the least likely to be anonymous. This suggests reporters in that region may have the least actual concern about retaliation. Organisations in the European Union faced the accelerating rollout of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive during this period, which mandated many organisations in the bloc set up internal whistleblowing systems. The Directive explicitly protects whistleblowers from retaliation. Health & safety reports recede while HR-type reports grow; Europe retaliation holds steady As workers retrench, they are bringing workforce culture issues to the fore. This may indicate a greater focus on their current employer, versus confidence of finding a new job outside of their organisation. Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) reports were a smaller median share of total reports across all regions and measures in 2022 compared to 2021. This likely shows the decline of COVID-19’s prominence related to other issues around the world, whether viewed through the lens of where the organisation receiving the report is headquartered or where the report was submitted. The median share of HR, diversity, and workplace respect reports grew in importance across all regions and measures, likely reflecting a growing employee focus on workplace dynamics. The portion of retaliation reports made in Europe increased. This may be evidence of growing public awareness around the issue of retaliation and growing public confidence in the region to report this sensitive issue. The percentage of reports submitted about retaliation also rose slightly for reports made in all regions apart from APAC (Asia Pacific), where it held steady. Meanwhile, North America shows by far the greatest respective share of retaliation reports compared to other regions. This may be because of greater reporter awareness around the issue, or because organisations are doing an effective job inviting reports of this issue type. To read the full report, please click here. ------ About 2023 Regional Whistleblowing Hotline Benchmark Report Analysis is based on more than 1.5 million anonymised customer reports received in 2022. This regional benchmark focuses on four geographies: Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), North and South America. It is designed to help risk and compliance practitioners understand and benchmark their programs’ performance relative to regional peers. The benchmarking metrics provide a framework for organisations to speak a common language regarding types of risks, while identifying areas to enhance workplace culture across regional boundaries. New this year is a first-ever analysis of how reporting trends may differ by region of report origin compared to location of organisation headquarters. This dual analysis is particularly useful for multi-national companies with global operations and workforces. Also of note, APAC report calculations for 2021 have also been updated to include the Middle East, which resulted in some refinements to 2021 data used for comparative purposes. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details NAVEX Anita Lo +44 7778 754857 anita.lo@navexglobal.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

October 12, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

OYO Rolls Out Contactless Anytime Check-In and Virtual Front Desk for its US Hotels

OYO

Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced the launch of a virtual front desk solution for its partner hotels in the US. Powered by GPT-4, the solution will eliminate waiting time for its customers offering anytime check in, help and guide international travellers who do not speak the local language and will also lead to faster response and resolution. The initiative is in line with OYO' s continuous efforts towards increasing operational efficiency of hotel partners by empowering them with latest technological tools. The self check-in technology is integrated with smart lock systems, allowing guests to enjoy keyless entry and exit without the need for physical key cards. Round-the-clock virtual front desk powered by ChatGPT4 will reduce front desk operations expenses by ~60%, saving an average OYO hotel ~$30,000 annually. The virtual front desk will support 80+ languages and will promptly assists guests in their preferred language, addressing queries and concerns in real-time. Additionally, the system automates payment collection, streamlining the entire process for a hassle-free experience. ChatGPT4 also analyses guest preferences to provide tailored recommendations for activities, dining, and local attractions. Talking about self-check in, Gautam Swaroop, CEO- OYO International said, “Guest facing tech such as the Contactless Self Check-in solution is not only important for enabling a seamless experience for guests, but also helps drive bookings and provides revenue-enhancing solutions for our hotel owners. The virtual front desk serves as a powerful tool that provides guests personalized hotel recommendations, exclusive offers, and seamless navigation. This also contributes to boosting bookings on OYO's own platforms, creating an additional revenue stream for hotel owners.” Nikhil Heda, Head of Business Development – OYO USA added, “There has been an increasing shift in consumer behaviour where they prefer digital-first interactions, convenience and personalization. This has steered the hospitality industry towards the adoption of guest-facing technology. At OYO, we have made a conscious effort to advance our tech stack to keep up with new customer demands and advanced technologies.” OYO offers hotels access to a large base of regular customers through its app and website, and 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 an increase in online revenues. 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. Nikhel Chand, the owner of OYO Woodland Hotel and Suites, who implemented the solution at his property said, "We implemented this solution to improve customer experience, help reduce costs, automate repetitive tasks and improve revenue. Our previous front desk setup had some gaps, both from a guest experience and operational perspective, including challenges with late-night check-ins and issues with keycard loss by customers. The biggest value this solution has brought to our property is the ability to manage hotel operations remotely from anywhere." 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 programs and easy refund, if needed. OYO recently announced that it has partnered with Stripe to ease the payment experience for its customers and hotel owners in the US. The integration will provide hotel owners with a flexible and seamless solution for in-person payments with Stripe Terminal at their hotels. OYO hotels in the US will also be enabled with real-time payouts through Instant Payouts with Stripe, which will improve their cash flow. Earlier this year OYO said that it is planning to add over 100 hotels in the US. The company 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 a sizable concentration of hotels in Oregon, South and North Carolina, Florida & Georgia. The company also achieved 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 saw the highest 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. OYO has presence in over 35 countries globally. It owns a vacations home business in Europe called OVH (OYO Vacation Homes) which operates legacy brands such as DanCenter and Belvilla. About OYO: OYO is a global platform that aims to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses with hotels and homes by providing full-stack technology products and services that aim to increase revenue and ease operations; bringing easy-to-book, affordable, and trusted accommodation to customers around the world. OYO offers 40+ integrated products and solutions to patrons who operate over 168,711 hotel and home storefronts in more than 35 countries including India, Europe and Southeast Asia, as of September 30, 2022. For more information, visit here 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/

October 11, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Chipper Gives Student Loan Borrowers Relief with Lower Payment and Loan Forgiveness Options

Chipper

Chipper, the app that empowers student loan borrowers to better manage their debt, today announced that its full featured mobile app is now available to help borrowers lower their monthly payments and eliminate their debt. Chipper is a simple, easy to use app to help the 44-45 million Americans who have federal student loans manage their debt, find forgiveness, and lower monthly payments. The all-in-one student loan repayment app coincides with student loan payments restarting in October, following the pause that began in March 2020. Student loan debt is the second-biggest consumer debt category after mortgages, with the total amount of student debt now approaching $1.8 trillion and the average monthly payment being $400. Chipper has helped more than 140,000 customers conquer student debt up to four years faster with an average savings of $307 per month. Four out of five (82%) Chipper users find a better repayment plan through its app. "The restart of student loan payments has serious consequences on millions of Americans who are struggling financially and are already dealing with inflation and rising housing costs,” said Tony Aguilar, founder and CEO of Chipper. “Our app uses advanced technology to seamlessly connect student loans and automate enrollments into lower payment plans, improving outcomes for borrowers who are desperate for relief and forgiveness. We have already helped our members qualify for more than $250 million in student loan forgiveness. Chipper is on a mission to discover and take action on the different personalized options and programs that can eliminate their debt.” While more than four million people have enrolled in the SAVE plan, Chipper’s analysis shows that millions more borrowers are eligible for relief and forgiveness programs and their debt can be eliminated in one day if these borrowers take the proper action. Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, Chipper’s research shows: Ninety percent of First Responders could have their debt forgiven. More than half of Educators could see their debt eliminated. One-third of Health Care workers’ debt could disappear. “Borrowers do not have to struggle under mountains of student debt, especially those who work in public service,” added Aguilar. “We know how to successfully apply for lower payments and forgiveness programs. Chipper makes the process easy and more effective so borrowers can successfully tackle their debt, putting them on a path towards savings and long-term wealth creation.” Since its inception in 2018, Chipper has been revolutionizing the way student loan borrowers manage and reduce their debt. By offering clear, actionable insights and strategies, Chipper empowers users to take charge of their financial futures, providing an authentic pathway to success and financial wellness. About Chipper Chipper, based in Austin, Texas, is the all-in-one student loan app that helps borrowers optimize and pay off their student debt faster. Chipper centralizes users' student loans while its algorithm identifies options for repayment management and loan forgiveness tailored to individual users. Chipper makes it possible for users to take further action on student loan repayments and chip away at debt even faster with Chipper Round-Ups and Chipper Rewards features. For more information, please visit chipper.app. Contact Details Joe LoBello Joe@LoBelloCommunications.com Company Website https://www.chipper.app/

October 11, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Niche Media Events Hosts Largest Leadership Summit in Chicago

Niche Media Events

Over 90 niche media publishers, CEOs, revenue heads, and suppliers gathered in Chicago for the 11th annual Niche Media Leadership Summit. The 2023 media conference is the largest event in the history of the annual publishing leadership gathering and was held September 20-22, 2023. The 2023 event hosted over 90 attendees and 16 sponsoring vendors at the Royal Sonesta Riverfront, making it the largest leadership retreat of its kind in the media industry. The Niche Media Leadership Summit focuses on discussion groups and keynotes specifically to educate, inspire and connect magazine and media owners and leaders. Topics include digital and print publishing strategy, new media technologies, company hiring and culture, audience expansion, and revenue ideas for publishers. “We are excited and honored to welcome so many niche media owners and leaders to this year’s Summit. The record attendance is a testament to the importance of the niche audience media industry, as well as the need for leaders to share best practices and discuss industry challenges ahead of 2024 budgeting and strategy.”, said Ryan Dohrn, owner of Niche Media Events. Featured keynotes included Jonathan Reitz, CEO of Fluxify, who spoke to hiring and retaining media sales staff; Steven Iwersen, founder of Aurora Pointe, who presented on leading media companies in uncertain times; and Andrew Davis, marketing industry icon, who led discussion on AI influence, opportunities and cautions for media. Attendees also met throughout the event in discussion groups for B2B, Consumer and Sales Leadership. 80% of attendees' time was devoted to discussion groups, networking parties and dinners with colleagues. Sponsoring industry vendors included: 032 Outsourcing, Audativ, Media OS (formerly Ad Sales Genius), Publication Printers, AdCellerant, AdOrbit (formerly MagHub), Baxter Research Center, January Spring, KODI Collective, Omeda, Quad, Sheridan and The Magazine Manager. Additionally, new sponsors joined for the first time: AdMall/SalesFuel, Fox Associates and WoodWing. “The Niche Leadership Summit offers a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with peers in your market (B2B or Consumer) or in specific roles (Sales Leadership) to share solutions, create connections for post-event conversations and resources, and access cutting edge leadership, culture, and industry developments to drive success for each attendee’s media company and employees”, continued Dohrn. The next Niche Media publishing conference will be their annual, multi-track, full staff training Niche Media Conference, April 17-19, 2024, also in downtown Chicago at the Radisson Blu Aqua. To learn more about Niche Media Events, visit NicheMediaEvents.com. About Niche Media Events Niche Media Events helps publishers generate growth in ALL their revenue channels: print, digital, sales, audience and events. We’ve got it all… incredible learning and peer-to-peer connections at our live conferences, awesome online educational content, and expert resources from the best minds in media. Whether you’re a B2B, B2C/Consumer, Digital-Only, City & Regional, or Association publisher, Niche Media is your “go-to” resource for practical, actionable education & training (plus a healthy dose of F-U-N) to help you maximize revenue. Together, we’re connecting the entire Niche Nation! Contact Details Niche Media Ryan Dohrn ryan@nichemediaevents.com Company Website https://www.www.nichemediaevents.com

October 10, 2023 11:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Media Veterans to FCC: Lawsuits Bolster Claim that FOX & Murdochs Lack Character Required of Public Broadcast License Trustees

Raynor Ave.

Media veterans filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), bringing the FCC’s attention to four shareholder derivative lawsuits accusing Fox Corporation's (FOX) Board of Directors of breaching its fiduciary duty. The lawsuits allege that Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and various officers and directors were complicit in decisions to disseminate false news and operate Fox News outside the bounds of First Amendment protections; and as a result, the company failed to safeguard shareholders from various journalistic integrity issues. The Media and Democracy Project (MAD) filed a motion requesting the FCC to compel FOX to produce key nonpublic discovery from its various lawsuits to ensure full transparency and accountability for its actions. MAD’s motion seeks evidence from the Dominion and Smartmatic litigations, all documents reviewed in the four stockholder derivative lawsuits, and internal communications from FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). Duggan-Kristol Derivative Filing The comment submitted by former PBS President and FCC Commissioner Ervin S. Duggan and media veteran and former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol advances as yet another damning argument in support of the Media and Democracy Project’s (MAD) Petition to Deny the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). “The pension funds' lawsuits address FOX leadership's willingness knowingly to lie about important matters, and go to the heart of the issue before the FCC,” said William Kristol. “These lawsuits paint the story of a corporation led by the Murdochs that lacks the character expected of a broadcast licensee.” Delaware law allows the plaintiffs to review nonpublic corporate information known as Section 220 material in preparation for drafting a complaint. This nonpublic information goes to the core questions before the commission. One lawsuit details how FOX scrapped processes in place at the Board of Directors level to monitor journalistic integrity issues in 2019. Those policies were only reconsidered in mid-2021 after the Dominion (and pending Smartmatic) litigation was filed, according to the complaint filed by Tredje AP-Fonden and other plaintiffs. The same complaint also raises the issue of whether the Board’s lack of journalistic integrity policies was related in some way to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s desire to stem viewer defection to preserve their influence in conservative politics, which the complaint argues they prioritized above broadcasting the truth. These lawsuits offer critical new evidence from Section 220 material and reflect that FOX shareholders are as troubled by the same core issues that should trouble the Commission. The Duggan-Kristol filing ends by saying the FCC “should not—cannot—don blinders as to the implications that the questions being weighed in [the Delaware Court of Chancery] must have on its judgment as to whether FOX and its Controllers can be trusted to operate broadcast stations in the public interest.” “These lawsuits show the parent corporation of the broadcast licensee showed poor judgment and questionable character in managing a business that—but for FCC licensure—is identical in core objectives and operation of its subsidiary broadcast station,” said Ervin S. Duggan. “We believe firmly that these nonpartisan lawsuits demonstrating bad judgment and suspect character should speak loudly to the Commission.” Two of the four lawsuits filed by pension funds representing workers in New York City, Oregon, Rhode Island, and the Swedish Government, cite MAD’s Petition to Deny as an outcome of the recklessness of the FOX Board’s inability to reign senior leadership in, allowing them to continue to promote lies about the 2020 election. From the Tredje AP-Fonden Complaint: Defendants’ breaches of fiduciary duty have not only resulted in massive economic and reputational damages to the Company and caused untold societal harm, but they also threaten to deny Fox’s ability to continue operating as a broadcast news media business, which is its core business. ( paragraph 308 ) From the New York City Complaint: The Murdochs’ decision to embrace Trump’s claims of a stolen election not only led to the $787.5 million settlement payment to Dominion, but also endangered Fox’s broadcast licenses. ( paragraph 211 ) A copy of the filing from Duggan and Kristol can be found here. Media and Democracy Project Motion for Documents While a great deal of discovery evidence has been produced in the various FOX litigations, this evidence is only available to the FCC and MAD in snippets. The public interest imperative of this proceeding requires a full review of all the evidence to ensure a complete and transparent evaluation of the renewal application and the Commission’s decision to designate a hearing. MAD’s motion seeks the FCC to require FOX to produce a range of nonpublic documents, emails, and testimony related to the following areas: All documents and deposition transcripts submitted or provided in connection with the Dominion and Smartmatic litigations. All documents submitted in the four Delaware Chancery stockholder derivative lawsuits in response to any party’s Delaware Section 220 demand for inspection of books and records. From January 2020 to the present, all documents and written communications between political advertisers, their representatives and advertising agencies concerning political advertising, lowest unit rate charges or requests to purchase advertising on station WTXF-TV. From January 2020 to the present, all written communications from any FOX, Fox Television Stations, LLC or WTXF-TV station employees indicating that the FCC’s electronic filing system was malfunctioning or that an attempt was made to upload WTXF-TV political files but was unsuccessful due to the FCC database not operating properly. A copy of the motion from MAD can be found here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots civic membership organization fighting for a more informative and pro-democracy media operating in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.org. Ervin S. Duggan is a veteran of the Lyndon Johnson White House, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and former President of PBS. William Kristol is a veteran political analyst and commentator. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan administration and the George H.W. Bush White House. For two decades, he edited The Weekly Standard magazine, and is now editor at large of The Bulwark and a director of the educational and advocacy group, Defending Democracy Together. Contact Details Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

October 10, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Professional Services

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation Awards 19 Students With $75,000 in Scholarships

Contract Management Associations Join Forces to Globally Elevate Profession

Contract Management Associations Join Forces to Globally Elevate Profession

Demand for Online Writing and Content Creation Jobs Intensifies, finds Freelancer.com

NAVEX 2023 Regional Whistleblowing Hotline Benchmark Report Reveals Rise in Reports Across All Regions

OYO Rolls Out Contactless Anytime Check-In and Virtual Front Desk for its US Hotels

Chipper Gives Student Loan Borrowers Relief with Lower Payment and Loan Forgiveness Options

Niche Media Events Hosts Largest Leadership Summit in Chicago

Media Veterans to FCC: Lawsuits Bolster Claim that FOX & Murdochs Lack Character Required of Public Broadcast License Trustees