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Stanton Chase completes Executive Search for Pacific Service Credit Union - Chief Risk Officer and Chief Technology Officer

digifora

Stanton Chase Los Angeles is pleased to announce the placement of Marian Wall as Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Kevin Alsup as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Pacific Service Credit Union. Bill Brewer and Peter Deragon led the two executive search engagements. Both are managing Directors of the Stanton Chase office in Los Angeles and members of the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. Marian Wall Marian Wall is an accomplished and results-driven leader. She has extensive expertise in various areas related to risk management, strategic partnerships, negotiation, and legal and compliance risk. Marian has a background as Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, and General Counsel at American Business Bank. She also operated as the Head of Global Technology Vendor Management at Bank of the West. Marian has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to excel in complex and high-stakes environments. She has a proven track record of successfully managing enterprise-level programs, overseeing vendor relationships, and mitigating risks effectively. Marian's strengths lie in her visionary and action-oriented approach, combined with a dedication to accountability and transparency. Additionally, she takes pride in mentoring and empowering her teams, as evidenced by her remarkable ability to retain and develop team members. Bill Brewer commented, "Marian Wall's appointment as Chief Risk Officer will significantly contribute to Pacific Service Credit Union's strategic objectives. She will lead the development of a robust risk and cybersecurity architecture, ensuring the credit union's readiness to navigate growth opportunities and complex threats." Peter Deragon added, "Marian possesses extensive expertise in enterprise risk management (ERM). She will play a key role in reviewing and assessing the credit union's current ERM maturity. She will also be essential for implementing a comprehensive governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) program that fosters efficiency and security across all aspects of the organization." Wall’s educational achievements are as impressive as her professional ones. They include a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, and a summa cum laude Bachelor's degree in Philosophy/Religion from California Lutheran University. Moreover, Marian holds licenses as a California Bar Member and is a Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager (Level II) from Compliance Education Institute, LLC. Her skill set comprises leadership, contract negotiation, vendor management, project management, risk assessment, contract management, and auditing, with experience primarily within the banking sector. As an ambitious and driven individual, Wall brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to excellence in her new role as Chief Risk Officer for her new employer. Jenna Lampson, President and CEO of Pacific Service Credit Union, enthusiastically remarked, "Marian will undoubtedly serve the credit union well as we continue to grow in size and confidently tackle new challenges. Her depth and breadth of experience, coupled with her unique combination of information security, technology, and risk management background, will be invaluable." Kevin Alsup Kevin Alsup will also bring a remarkable degree of expertise to his role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Pacific Service Credit Union. He possesses over 20 years of experience in the financial and technology sectors and is well-versed in information technology and strategic planning, with a focus on project management and execution. Kevin’s impressive background includes leadership roles in high-tech, manufacturing, and the financial services and banking industries. His extensive career includes serving as the Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions at Excite Credit Union and various leadership roles at Technology Credit Union. Throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated proficiency in mentoring, change management, and strategy development. As CTO, Kevin will be responsible for overseeing the credit union's technology initiatives and driving innovation to enhance member experiences. Kevin has a demonstrated background in driving operational excellence, innovation, and cost sustainability while ensuring compliance and security. Deragon stated, "With his proven track record of successful technology implementations, Kevin is well-positioned to lead the credit union's strategic initiatives. This includes the critical online banking conversion and data governance review, which ensures an engaging experience for employees and members alike." Brewer also remarked, "As CTO, Kevin's expertise in developing and communicating technology strategies will be instrumental in optimizing resources and maintaining a competitive advantage in the ever-changing world of finance." Kevin’s education consists of a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from Santa Clara University. It also includes Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. Additionally, Kevin is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) from the Project Management Institute (PMI®). Pacific Service Credit Union looks forward to leveraging Kevin's expertise to enhance technological initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and elevate member experiences in the ever-evolving financial landscape. "We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Alsup as our Chief Technology Officer,” Lampson declared, “He is a veteran credit union IT professional whose laser focus on efficiency, innovation, and member experience aligns perfectly with Pacific Service Credit Union's values. Kevin's energetic, solutions-oriented, and collaborative leadership will drive our strategy execution to new heights." About Stanton Chase (Los Angeles) Established in 1990, Stanton Chase is a leading global executive search firm with over 70 offices in 45 countries. Stanton Chase consultants offer unparalleled expertise via three core services: executive search, executive assessment, and board services. The company's Los Angeles office has an established track record of delivering executive search excellence to its clients in the financial services, consumer products and services, industrial, aerospace, media/entertainment, private equity, education, nonprofit, and government contracting sectors. The Los Angeles office services clients throughout the Pacific states. Learn more at stantonchase.com. About Pacific Service Credit Union Pacific Service Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union committed to strengthening the financial lives of its more than 65,000 members through trustworthy practices, superior products and exceptional service. Founded in 1936 by employees of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, it is a full-service credit union with assets over $1.4 billion and a field of membership that incorporates 12 Northern California counties. Bauer Financial, a third-party firm that analyzes the financial health of banks and credit unions, consistently awards Pacific Service Credit Union its highest 5-Star rating. The credit union boasts a talented, cohesive leadership team with an average of more than 17 years of service; and in 2023, was named as a Top Workplace in the Bay Area for the fifth consecutive year. Learn more at pacificservice.org. Contact Details digifora Justin Brackett +1 843-284-6594 justin@digifora.com Company Website https://digifora.com

July 31, 2023 11:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Media Veterans Ervin Duggan and William Kristol Join Forces, Urging FCC Hearing into Character Fitness of FOX and Murdochs to Remain Public Interest Broadcast Licensees

Raynor Ave.

Today, former PBS President Ervin S. Duggan and former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol filed a joint informal objection to the broadcast license renewal application for Fox Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF-TV). The pair's informal objection urges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a hearing that examines whether Fox Corporation (FOX) and its leadership have violated the character requirements expected from public trustees granted a broadcast license. The Duggan-Kristol objection follows a formal Petition to Deny filed by the Media and Democracy Project (MAD) earlier this month. It brings high-profile bipartisan backing to the group's efforts. "As media veterans, we are acutely aware of the power afforded to those who control the information broadcast on our nation's airwaves," said Ervin S. Duggan. "Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch's role in perpetuating election falsehoods stands as a blatant violation of the character requirements expected of those the FCC entrusts to hold a broadcast license." In the pair's objection, Duggan and Kristol say that although they were members of different parties when they served in government—and had different perspectives on many issues throughout their respective careers in public service and journalism—they strongly believe that American democracy must be grounded in open, respectful, and factual debate. The objection goes on to say, "[w]e believe that media companies who are directly or indirectly granted the privilege to serve the public through the operation of FCC-licensed television stations have a corollary duty to facilitate and strengthen democracy by participating in that debate—not by hiding their opinions, nor by providing 'equal time' on all issues to outside parties, nor by merely chasing ratings or corporate stock price, but by adhering to the highest journalistic standards in reporting and distributing news to ensure that the public has solid facts upon which to make the decisions that are essential to our society's future as a democracy." "The adjudication of the Dominion case unequivocally established that Fox News Channel repeatedly disseminated false news, and the Fox cable channels and its broadcast ones are clearly intimately linked, as Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch hold the authority for decision-making over both," said William Kristol. "The Commission should follow the well-established legal framework and conduct a hearing to fully consider the fitness of FOX and the Murdochs to continue as licensees of the public airwaves." WTXF is one of 29 broadcast television stations owned and operated by FOX through its 100 percent ownership of Fox Television Stations, and the ultimate control over these enterprises rests with Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch. Their controlling interest in FOX and all its various broadcast subsidiaries means they are the de facto party seeking renewal of the WTXF license. The judge overseeing the Dominion litigation refused to excuse Rupert from the case that found both Murdochs had presided over the presentation of false news. Similarly, the FCC must refuse calls to excuse the Murdochs from accountability and at a minimum initiate a hearing, if not outright deny their license renewal application. A copy of the full Duggan-Kristol informal objection is available here. A link to MAD’s initial Petition to Deny is available here. 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. For media inquiries, please contact Aaron Alberico at aalberico@raynoravenue.com. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.raynoravenue.com/

July 31, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Hunter Biden Plea Deal Rejected by Federal Judge

National Legal & Policy Center

Federal Judge Maryellen Noreika in Delaware rejected a sweetheart plea deal whereby Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax violations and enter a pretrial diversion program for a felony gun charge. The gun charge would be dropped if he stayed off drugs and alcohol and complied with other conditions for two years. The prosecutors also recommended that there would be no jail time for the two tax charges. The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an ethics watchdog group, had previously blasted the lenient plea agreement between the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, David Weiss, and Hunter Biden. NLPC called upon Judge Noreika to reject the deal. The plea deal fell apart when the prosecutor told the court that the investigation is still ongoing, but Hunter and his attorneys thought the plea deal would give him immunity for any other crimes he may have committed. The frustrated judge gave the two sides some time to settle their differences during a break in the hearing but further problems arose regarding the gun charge. If Hunter did not abide by the terms of his pretrial diversion program, the judge was concerned that she would be the one to decide that the prosecution of the gun charge should proceed. She made it clear that the judiciary does not have that prosecutorial power under our Constitution’s separation of powers. She gave the parties thirty days to file additional briefs on a revised plea deal. Notably, Judge Noreika grilled Hunter during the hearing on the source of his foreign income. Hunter admitted receiving taxable income from Burisma oil company in Ukraine, where he was on the Board, and from a Chinese energy company. Yet despite the five-year investigation, no charges were brought against Hunter under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for engaging in political activities on behalf of Burisma and Chinese interests, despite overwhelming evidence that NLPC had presented to the Justice Department in 2020. “It’s outrageous that after a five-year investigation of Hunter Biden, and the recent IRS whistleblowers’ sworn testimony of a Justice Department coverup and obstruction, the best that the prosecutor can come up with is a couple of misdemeanor charges and recommend probation as a slap on the wrist,” said Paul Kamenar, counsel for NLPC. “Thankfully, Judge Noreika rejected the plea deal as we urged, but it remains to be seen if a new deal is agreed to,” Kamenar added. "The two-level system of justice whereby the Biden family gets a pass is rightfully perceived by the public as the politicization of the justice system,” said Peter Flaherty, Chairman of NLPC. “If the Justice Department continues to cover up for the Biden family, Congress must vigorously pursue its investigation, which appears to be leading to impeachment proceedings.” ### 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

July 27, 2023 11:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owners Jim and Seamus Mooney Celebrate 5 Years and Relocation to Clark, NJ with Grand Opening Event

Minuteman Press International Inc

Jim and Seamus Mooney have a lot to celebrate lately. The father-son team behind the Minuteman Press franchise in Clark, NJ (formerly Westfield) held their Grand Opening Palooza Event on June 22, 2023 as they celebrated their relocation to Clark as well as 5 years in business. Minuteman Press in Clark is located at 1120 Raritan Road, Suite 2, Clark NJ 07066. The grand opening event for Minuteman Press in Clark, NJ was sponsored by the Irish Business Association and featured live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. The Irish Business Association also recently honored Minuteman Press in Clark by awarding Jim and Seamus their Company of the Year Award. In addition, Jim and Seamus continue to hit new monthly sales milestones for their business. On the relocation, Jim shares, “We opened our doors on June 1, 2018. We have been in business for 5 years and we were looking for a larger production facility. Today, Minuteman Press Clark is a full-service printing, mail-house, and marketing design firm. We specialize in apparel (screen printing and embroidery), signage, paper based products (booklets, brochures, letterhead, envelopes, etc.) promotional products, mailings and graphic design.” Over the past 5 years, Jim has helped grow the family business through networking with a heavy focus on community involvement. He is President and an active member of Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, which includes multiple towns in Union County. Jim also appreciates being able to put his own stamp on Clark, Westfield and the surrounding community through his business. On that note, Jim says, “We have a lot of pride when we see our work displayed or distributed in the community – storefronts, window signage, direct mail, brochures, business cards – it’s always great to get kudos from happy clients.” Jim’s professional background includes managing strategic marketing for multi-unit franchise brands across various industries, most notably, McDonald’s Corporation working on the Company and Ad Agency side of the QSR industry. Jim says, “As the majority of my career was spent in franchise marketing, I am a true believer in franchising. Because I worked in advertising agencies where we had production and graphic design capabilities; I was very comfortable buying this business.” Jim continues, “I look at Minuteman Press as an ad agency for other businesses in Clark and Westfield and the surrounding towns. My career skills match up really well with what we are doing, and I am proud of our capabilities as well as the infrastructure we have in place being part of the Minuteman Press franchise family.” Speaking of family, while Jim concentrates on marketing the business, his son Seamus handles the operations. Prior to Minuteman Press, Seamus worked in recruiting and education operations management. Jim says, “Seamus is fantastic as our Vice President of Operations and I couldn’t do this without him. We’re a good team because we complement each other’s skills.” What’s it like going to work every day as a father and son? “It's an opportunity most people don't get to have,” Seamus Mooney said. “It's been great getting to work together for over five years — I've learned a lot during this time about business and life. Having a family business is rewarding." “It is fantastic to work with my son Seamus and to see him grow strategically and operationally as our vice president of operations,” Jim Mooney added. “Seamus is also a great thought partner in the business. It is a unique and fun experience.” Minuteman Press in Clark, NJ is located at at 1120 Raritan Road, Suite 2, Clark NJ 07066. For more information, call 908-857-4644 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nj/clark/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

July 25, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

New Data Reveals Enforcement Alone Will Not Solve New York’s Gray Market Cannabis Problem

NuggMD

The recent headline-making raids by law enforcement designed to end illicit cannabis sales in New York are unlikely to work, according to a new, first-of-its-kind survey, because New Yorkers overwhelmingly trust the products they are purchasing in those locations. The survey was conducted by NuggMD, the nation’s leading telehealth platform for cannabis, and first reported by Cultivated, a cannabis newsletter written by Jeremy Berke, an independent journalist who formerly covered the cannabis industry for Insider. According to the survey, 61 percent of respondents who buy cannabis in unlicensed gray market locations said they trust that it has been tested for contaminants, while 22 percent of these respondents indicated they do not trust the safety of gray market products, but that they can’t purchase cannabis anywhere else. (Gray market locations do not have testing requirements.) Additionally, most respondents who purchase cannabis in the gray market reported one or more negative experiences with the products purchased. Thirty percent of these respondents said it made them higher than they expected, while 31 percent said the product looked, smelled, or tasted odd and 65 percent said the product didn’t get them as high as they expected, given the dose they consumed. Most concerning is that nearly 8 percent of respondents reported feeling unwell after consuming cannabis purchased in the gray market. “Our survey shows New Yorkers have an alarming amount of trust in the illicit cannabis products they’re purchasing from unlicensed retail locations. While this trust is misplaced, that doesn’t make it any less real, which is why enforcement alone is not a solution to the state’s illicit cannabis problem,” said Alex Milligan, co-founder and CMO of NuggMD. “So long as consumers trust those products, there will be demand for them.” While New York State legalized recreational cannabis more than two years ago, there are currently just 20 licensed recreational dispensaries open in the state, according to the Office of Cannabis Management. Five are clustered in one three-mile radius in Manhattan, and half have opened during the past two months. According to the NuggMD survey, individuals who hold medical cards were less likely to shop for cannabis in the gray market. Taken together, the data suggests that a combination of more licensed dispensaries and a public information campaign that emphasizes the difference between safe, lab-tested cannabis and cannabis bought in the gray market would slow the consumption of gray-market products and contribute meaningfully to public health and safety. Milligan concluded: “We know that it is difficult to regulate this sector while allowing operators to build a vibrant marketplace. But, as our survey shows, every barrier that impedes new licensed dispensaries from opening quickly where there is demand for them increases risk for many thousands of New Yorkers.” Methodology NuggMD sent a series of questions about cannabis buying patterns and preferences to approximately 70,000 cannabis consumers in New York State and received 354 responses. The survey is non-scientific and contains selection bias. The company hopes the survey prompts further study and ultimately reduces the barriers that impede more licensed recreational dispensaries from opening. About NuggMD NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 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 NuggMD Andrew Graham +1 646-385-0189 andrew.g@getnugg.com Company Website http://www.nuggmd.com

July 20, 2023 05:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Empowers Students with National Contract Management Association's Contract Management Standard

National Contract Management Association

The University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies (UVA SCPS) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) have forged a partnership to enhance student success and drive excellence in contract management education. UVA SCPS is proud to announce the adoption of the ANSI-Approved Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™) as the foundation of its graduate Procurement and Contracts Management Certificate online program and course curricula. “Our alignment with the CMS™ and the Contract Management Body of Knowledge ® enables us to prepare our students for NCMA certifications which serve as a as a strong steppingstone into the contract management profession," said Jimm Rich, MPA, Ph.D., Faculty Program Coordinator at UVA SCPS. “UVA SCPS and NCMA have a shared commitment to student success, built on the understanding that we must equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the contract management profession,” stated Melissa M. Lubin, Ph.D., Dean of the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “By aligning our curriculum with the CMS™, UVA SCPS will ensure that our students are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.” "We couldn’t be happier to have University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies as an official Contract Management Standard adopter," stated Kraig Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of NCMA. "This collaboration not only prepares students for success but also positions UVA SCPS as a champion of the contract management workforce." The adoption of the Contract Management Standard™ ensures that UVA SCPS students are exposed to the industry's best practices, fostering their professional growth, and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By integrating the CMS™ into their program, UVA SCPS offers a comprehensive and robust educational experience that empowers students to excel in the field of contract management; all while continuing to set a new standard in contract management instruction. For more information about the Higher Education Institutions that have adopted the Contract Management Standard™ of the Contract Management Body of Knowledge into their curriculum, please visit www.ncmahq.org/adopters. 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 University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies The University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies provides transformative educational experiences for lifelong learners who seek to complete degrees, certificates or professional programs to advance their careers, enrich their lives, and impact their communities. More information is available at scps.virginia.edu. Contact Details NCMA Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

July 20, 2023 07:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

‘AI Can’t Replace Creativity’ finds Freelancer.com’s latest job trends report

FREELANCER.COM

Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) (OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today released new figures revealing a surge in freelance creative writing jobs, growth in business marketing activities, and an increase in on-site photography and videography gigs. The Fast 50 Q2 2023 report, a quarterly dataset ranking the fastest growing and falling jobs on the platform, analyzed over 280,000 jobs posted to Freelancer.com between April and June 2023. According to the data, the fastest growing freelance jobs by percentage growth in Q2 2023 were: 1. Creative Writing - up 58% (from 1,868 to 2,961 jobs) 2. User Interface Design - up 52% (from 2,017 to 3,075 jobs) 3. Twitter Marketing - up 41% from (1,650 to 2,334 jobs) 4. Photography - up 40% from (2,101 to 2,945 jobs) 5. Writing (Microsoft Word) - up 38% (from 3,175 to 4,401 jobs) While the world debates whether AI will take human jobs or not, and therefore dramatically hit the labor indexes, the latest figures reviewed by Freelancer.com’s data science team revealed interest for freelance writing jobs are increasing on the platform over the last quarter. Other writing related skills also saw growth across the quarter, including Copy Typing (up 31.2%, 4,867 to 6,389 jobs) and Ghostwriting (up 22.8%, 5,212 to 6,404 jobs). Other jobs which have been deemed as ‘at risk’ of being automated by AI, such as data entry, have also seen an increase over the quarter. Projects for Data Processing were up 21% (from 9,076 to 11,024 jobs) and projects requiring Excel as a skill also saw a 15% increase (from 13,246 to 15,301 total job postings). “AI can’t replace creativity yet. While workers and businesses are benefiting from productivity gains offered by generative AI, the data suggests that the technology in its current form isn’t able to replace creative work. We saw a similar trend occur in the first quarter of the year, as creative design jobs were flourishing despite interest for generative AI tripling,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. The Fast 50 Q2 2023 report also reveals an increase in businesses investing heavily in freelance marketing support. This trend comes off the back of an unprecedented rise in jobs usually associated with the creation of new businesses and new ventures as found in the Fast 50 Q1 2023 report. In addition to Twitter Marketing ranking as the third fastest growing job, growth also surged for the following marketing skills: ● Search Engine Marketing (SEO) - up 26% (from 1,840 to 2,328 jobs) ● Sales - up 23% (from 2,614 to 3,233 jobs) ● Marketing - up 19% (from 8,269 to 9,867 jobs) ● Social Media Marketing - up 16% (from 6,524 to 7,574 jobs) ● Facebook Marketing - up 14% (from 5,602 to 6,410 jobs) Marketing jobs are some of the highest earning on the platform per project. Projects seeking SEO experts typically pay US$2,231 per project. General marketing jobs on average pay US$1,422 per project, while Social Media Marketing pays $584 per project. Local jobs, which is where employers hiring freelancers in their local area to do service or physical-based jobs, are growing across the platform by 37%, from 2,122 to 2,905 total projects. The two key drivers for growth for these types of jobs relate to Photography and Videography which are up by 40% (from 2,101 to 2,945) and 32% (from 3,095 to 4,097), respectively. On average, projects for Videography attract US$70 per hour. Fastest Falling Jobs of Q2 2023 The most significant declining trend observed in the Q2 2023 report shows that employers are easing their interest for tech and IT related skills. The Fast 50 report for Q3 2022 highlighted significant growth in a number of highly specialized and niche tech skills, such as software development, android app development, programming, and others. The catalyst for demand being global mass layoffs and hiring freezes across the tech sector towards the end of 2022. The latest Fast 50 Q2 2023 data shows interest for niche tech skills is beginning to slow down, with software development (down 28%, from 1,308 to 942), API (down 26%, from 1,516 to 1,109), iOS Development (down 26%, from 1,220 to 894) and Microsoft SQL Server (down 25%, from 1,309 to 975) all decreasing over the last quarter. Easing of these types of skills also aligns with Layoff.fyi’s tech layoff tracker also showing a reduction in the number of layoffs occurring globally. Fast 50 Q1 2023 - Data Analysis Relief For Writers As Data Suggests AI Can’t Replace Creativity The main trend from the Freelancer.com Fast 50 Q2 2023 report shows freelance writing jobs, specifically those seeking journalists and editors, increasing on the platform over the last quarter. Despite having access to freely available generative AI tools, employers are turning to on-demand freelancers to help write creative content for their websites and blogs. Creative Writing jobs were the number one fastest growing job on Freelancer.com in Q2, growing 58% from 1,868 to 2,961 jobs posted. Other writing related skills, such as Writing (Microsoft Word) (up 38.6%, 3,175 to 4,401 jobs), Copy Typing (up 31.2%, 4,867 to 6,389 jobs) and Ghostwriting (up 22.8%, 5,212 to 6,404 jobs), also saw an increase over the quarter. Interestingly, other skills which experts predict will be overtaken by AI are also increasing on the freelancing platform. Data processing grew by 21%, from 9,076 to 11,024 in Q2. Jobs with Excel as a key skill also increased by 15.5%, from 13,246 to 15,301 jobs. Data entry recently ranked as the World’s Most Boring Job in Freelancer.com ’s global survey measuring attitudes towards work. Data entry is also one of the most popular jobs that employers tend to delegate to on-demand freelancers. Businesses Focus On Growth, Following Startup Boom, By Investing In Marketing Jobs seeking Sales experts grew 23.6% and Business Analysis increased by 21.4% over the last quarter. This is another indication that businesses are focusing heavily on growth and strategy alongside promotion. In Q1 2023, Freelancer.com observed an unprecedented rise in jobs usually associated with the creation of new businesses and new ventures. This was apparent with projects for logo design, corporate identity design and eCommerce all growing simultaneously and aligning with new business formation statistics released by the US Census. While there isn’t data supporting another rise in new businesses in Q2 2023, what Freelancer.com is seeing is businesses now doubling down on marketing, sales and social media efforts to increase business. This aligns with global trends of big consumer brands, such as ones reported in Australia, slashing their marketing spend and look towards more self-driven or low budget or organic marketing efforts. Twitter Marketing, which ranks third in the most in-demand skills for Q2 2023 after growing 41% over the quarter, is growing to become a popular option for businesses looking for social media support. Social Media Marketing as a skill increased by 16% and Facebook Marketing increased by 14%. Marketing, as a skill generally, is up 19.3%, growing from 8,269 to 9,867 total jobs in Q2. Classic marketing tactics such as Search Engine Marketing (SEO) and Web Search grew by 26% and 21%, respectively. SEO and Web Search are both budget friendly ways for businesses to maintain a competitive advantage in search engines results. A similar trend was observed in the Q3 2022 as many tech companies began mass layoffs and cut Search Engine Marketing spend as a way to reduce marketing spend. As a result, Freelancer.com observed growth in SEO related projects or social media marketing as both are cost effective marketing strategies. Jobs seeking Sales experts grew 23.6% and Business Analysis increased by 21.4% over the last quarter. This is another indication that businesses are focusing heavily on growth and strategy alongside promotion. Demand For Tech Jobs Slows Down As Layoffs Reduce Worldwide Freelancer.com is beginning to see interest for niche tech and IT related skills reduce on the platform. A sudden surge in technology related skills was observed all throughout 2022, however, was largely apparent in the Fast 50 report for Q3 2022 which saw a significant increase in jobs relating to niche IT-related projects all being driven by a surge in tech layoffs. The latest figures from the Fast 50 report for Q2 2023 shows interest is beginning to slow down as 16 of the top 25 fastest falling jobs are related to tech, which are the same jobs which climbed heavily towards the end of last year. Software Development, which had sustained growth quarter-on-quarter throughout 2022, saw a decline of 28% from 1,308 to 942 jobs. Projects requiring API as a skill are down 26% (from 1,516 to 1,109) and iOS Development jobs are also down 26% (from 1,220 to 894). Location-Based Photography & Videography Jobs Are Booming Local Jobs are a specific type of job which are location based and are specific to a location. These jobs are typically service or physical jobs, such as local pick up, delivery, photography, gardening or cleaning services. This quarter saw Local Jobs grow by 37%, from 2,122 to 2,905. The two key drivers for growth for these types of jobs relate to Photography and Videography which are up by 40% (from 2,101 to 2,945) and 32% (from 3,095 to 4,097), respectively. Visual content will always be in-demand for any business, regardless of size. Whether it’s capturing an event or shooting footage to use for ads, real-life imagery will always be an important part of promoting businesses. ##### 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 280,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer platform between April 1 to June 30 2023. Fast 50 Q2 2023 Data About Freelancer Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 67 million registered users have posted over 22.7 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer also owns Escrow.com and Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. Contact Details Freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 marko@freelancer.com

July 19, 2023 12:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Cranberry Township, PA Moves to New Location

Minuteman Press International Inc

The Minuteman Press franchise in Cranberry Township has moved to a brand new facility located at 1185 Freedom Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066. Rich Coyner has owned the business for six years, while the shop itself has been operating for over 20 years. Rich shares, “Our original location was initially setup to accommodate offset presses and a backroom operation with little retail-facing space. We moved away from the offset press business five years ago and needed a fresh look that allows our customers to see how technology has changed the way we deliver printed services to them.” He continues, “We moved into a larger space that is wide open and enables our clients to see more of our operation and capabilities. Our digital presses are near the front of the store and clients can see how we move a job from print to completion. We also added a larger lobby area with display racks for logo apparel and a display case for our promotional products lines. Our lobby is also wide open and accessible for customers in accordance with ADA guidelines.” Growing the Business When asked how he’s grown Minuteman Press in Cranberry Township since purchasing the business six years ago, Rich highlights the following: “ Diversification / Expansion of Products – When I purchased the business, the focus was only on printing paper products. We have expanded into promotional products, logo apparel, EDDM and direct mail, wide format printing, and more. I eliminated our offset presses, purchased a Xante Envelope Press, added 2 new digital presses and upgraded all of our equipment by purchasing a new challenge cutter, Baumfolder Folding Machine and Graphic Whizard Perf & Scoring machine to ensure we could provide quality products in a timely manner. We also expanded our marketing efforts to pursue promotional products and apparel opportunities from our existing customer base. Acquisition – I acquired an independent print shop that was a few miles north of me and rolled his business into our existing operation. Networking – I am a Board Member on the largest Chamber of Commerce group in the Greater Pittsburgh area – The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber – and I leverage these networking opportunities and relationships to market my business. Community Welcome Wagon – I’ve also partnered with the local Welcome Wagon business – North Pittsburgh Greeting Co. – who welcomes all new businesses to the area and provides them a list of local businesses and goodies to help them get their business off the ground. We offer 500 Free Business cards and 500 Envelopes as a way of welcoming them to the area and letting them know we can support their printing and marketing needs.” Rich adds, “We have a great team that enjoys meeting the needs of our customers. I know that if I continue to invest in good people, new technology and keep things moving forward, the customers will stay with us. At Minuteman Press, we continue to evolve and strive to get better at everything we do to make sure our customers are happy and satisfied with our work. If we can provide a solution, we do it! And if for some reason we can’t, we’ll point them in the right direction.” Career Change & Franchise Support Prior to buying the business, Rich shares, “I spent over 30 years in the transportation & logistics industry, 20-plus years working in Corporate America for three Fortune 500 companies and the last 12 years running a privately held third-party logistics organization. I knew how to run a company but was not sure what I wanted to do so I became involved in franchise consulting as a Certified Franchise Consultant. I came across Minuteman Press in Cranberry Twp and decided to purchase it. I knew how to run a company but knew nothing about the printing industry, so I did some research and worked with the local SBDC to better understand the industry and its future potential.” Over the past six years, Rich has continued to receive ongoing franchise support from Minuteman Press International. He explains, “Minuteman Press provides a great platform to run your business along with a diverse vendor base to meet just about any needs a customer may have. Their FLEX software is a great tool for managing day-to-day operations and my central facility work is about 35%-40% of my business because we have such great vendors in the Minuteman Press program. I can do more sales with less staff using the central facility model.” Advice for Others As for what advice he would give to other business owners, Rich says, “The best advice I can give is run your business – don’t let it run you. It’s important to not let the business run you as you need to let your employees run the day-to-day and you need to be thinking big picture. Know what you want to be today, tomorrow and the next day – the world does not stand still so if you slow down it will pass you by.” Rich adds, “Also, treat your employees well! Without your team, you cannot meet the challenges of being a successful business owner.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Cranberry Township, PA, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/pa/cranberry-township/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

July 17, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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DealMaker Ranks No.2 on Fast Company’s 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators

DealMaker

Fast Company ’s Best Workplaces for Innovators issue (Summer 2023) is available online now, and the print issue will be on newsstands beginning July 18, 2023. Join the Best Workplaces for Innovators conversation using #FCBestWorkplaces. Fast Company today announced its fifth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, honoring organizations and businesses that demonstrate an inspiring commitment to encourage and develop innovation at all levels. DealMaker has earned the position of No. 2 on Fast Company ’s 2023 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators list as well as winning the International title for Best Workplace for Innovators. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators ranks 100 winners from a variety of industries, including entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, healthcare, and many more. Fast Company editors and Accenture researchers collaborated together to score nearly 1,000 submissions, and a panel of eight distinguished judges reviewed and endorsed the top 100 companies. The 2023 awards feature workplaces from around the world. “As a company driven to disrupt the decades-old antiquated industry of the capital markets, it is an absolute honor to be recognized as an innovative workplace by Fast Company. We fully embrace our value of ‘Our Business is Change’. It reinforces the belief that we’re comfortable where others are not - we need to constantly live in the mindset of adaptation and agility,” says DealMaker CEO and Co-Founder Rebecca Kacaba. DealMaker has embraced the new global, remote workforce and the result is a group of exceptional subject matter experts and top tier talent. With investment and dedication to expanding their team across internationally, DealMaker is growing by about 89% across North & South America. “As a tech company, we thrive outside the box and truly embrace the idea of a global tech company. A steadfast value of DealMaker developed early on is to “move fast and break things” - if you fall, you get up and try again. From day one, all team members are empowered to move fast and own their impact - without the fear of making mistakes. ” says Co-Founder and CSO, Mat Goldstein. DealMaker is on a mission to make online capital raising mainstream. DealMaker’s platform is tearing down barriers to entry for the underfunded, while permitting consumers access to new investment opportunities in private companies and startups - which previously was available only to a very few Wall Street insiders. Access to pre-IPO investment opportunities are the biggest opportunity for wealth building that were previously typically reserved for the very few. Our tech along with regulation crowdfunding exemptions such as Reg CF and Reg A, will open up these opportunities to everyday average citizens. In only five short years, DealMaker has powered over 770 offerings for founders and brands and has processed over 1 Million investments totaling over $1.84 Billon (USD) - outperforming all competitors in North America. DealMaker has been trusted by brands like Parker Clay, Pacaso, Miso Robotics and Monogram which recently listed on Nasdaq following their Reg A raise on DealMaker’s platform. Learn more about DealMaker at https://www.dealmaker.tech/. To see the complete list, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list. Fast Company ’s Best Workplaces for Innovators issue (Summer 2023) is available online now, and the print issue will be on newsstands beginning July 18, 2023. Join the Best Workplaces for Innovators conversation using #FCBestWorkplaces. About DealMaker DealMaker is on a mission to create the most sophisticated capital markets tools on the planet, empowering capital to flow faster. It offers a suite of primary issuance, shareholder management, and capital raising solutions that includes equity crowdfunding, investor ranking algorithms, and data/analytical tools to support all capital raise types and all securities. Its innovative technology was designed to enable organizations to own and control exempt market raises to get the money they need, faster. DealMaker works for their issuers: putting brands and founders back in control to run streamlined, successful capital raises. Its mission is to turn the process of raising capital into simple eCommerce. The company’s offices are located in Toronto, Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Visit DealMaker.tech for more information. About Fast Company Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com. Contact Details Natasha Jose +1 416-726-5374 natasha.jose@dealmaker.tech Company Website https://www.dealmaker.tech/

July 11, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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