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Hudson Valley Duck Farms File Lawsuit Challenging NYC’s Controversial Foie Gras Sales Ban

Catskill Foie Gras Collective

Hudson Valley duck farmers, organized as the Catskill Foie Gras Collective, filed suit today against New York City challenging its ban on the sale of the delicacy, foie gras, which will go into effect on November 25, 2022. The Collective asserts that the sales ban violates a state law, Agriculture and Markets Law § 305-a, which prohibits municipalities, like the City, from adopting local laws that unreasonably restrict farming operations in certified agricultural districts. As a practical matter, the sales ban will wipe-out millions of dollars in revenue for the State, New York City, restaurants, wholesale distributors, retail store owners, and transportation companies. The Collective predicts that over 100 farm workers in Sullivan County will lose their jobs. The Collective also notes that, if allowed to stand, the NYC law will set a dangerous precedent allowing local legislative bodies to effectively control or eliminate other farming practices in agricultural districts. “Today, it’s foie gras, a gourmet delicacy thousands of New York City residents enjoy,” said Marcus Henley, a spokesperson for the Foie Gras Collective. “Tomorrow it could be chicken eggs that aren’t raised cage-free. Or milk-fed veal or non-organic fruit. Do you really want a small group of special-interest lobbyists controlling what you can and can’t have for dinner? This ban creates a nightmarish precedent for farmers and consumers alike.” The Collective is also seeking a preliminary injunction to postpone the ban until the courts can determine its legality. Otherwise, the Collective may be forced to halt its weekly shipments of duck products into the City. “This is the kind of law that puts people out of work, and farmers out of business, and we are asking the court to maintain the status quo until the lawsuit is resolved.” said Henley. “The sales ban is not only groundless and unconstitutional, it also clearly violates a state law which was enacted to protect farmers from local acts like this,” said Henley. “We’re confident that the courts will see it this way and that the city’s top chefs and their guests will continue to enjoy our foie gras products.” Advocates for the sales ban included animal rights groups, who notoriously misrepresented how foie gras is produced and claimed that ducks are treated inhumanely during the production process. Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farms maintain that their ducks are well cared for, are allowed to roam freely, and are processed in a government-inspected facility, strictly adhering to animal welfare and federal regulations. Both farms produce foie gras using a special hand-feeding method, like no other farm in the world, so as not to harm the ducks. “We invite everyone who cares about freedom to make some noise. Write their legislators, write their newspaper editors, voice their concern to restaurant owners,” urges Henley. “Don’t allow a small group of well-funded lobbyists dictate what you can and can’t chose to eat. If we don’t win this case, who knows what the next food ban will entail.” To view a copy of the lawsuit, click here or visit www.LawsuitPressRelease.com. For more information about foie gras production visit: https://foiegrasfacts.org. About Catskill Foie Gras Collective: The Catskill Foie Gras Collective is comprised of Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm, the main producers of foie gras to restaurants and retail food stores. The collective serves as a resource for factual information and independent articles about our farming. For more information, visit: https://foiegrasfacts.org/ Contact Details Catskill Foie Gras Collective Lynn Munroe +1 845-548-1211 lynn@maracaibomedia.com Company Website https://foiegrasfacts.org/

May 23, 2022 02:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Second-Generation Minuteman Press Franchisees in Cupey and San Juan, Puerto Rico Continue Family Legacies for 27 Years and Counting

Minuteman Press International Inc

For Frances Torruellas and Tere Quiñones, owning a business runs in the family. Frances is the co-owner of her Minuteman Press franchise in Cupey, working alongside her father Juan A. Torruellas. Tere is the owner of Minuteman Press located in Hato Rey, San Juan. Both family-run franchises opened in 1995, and both Frances and Tere are proud to carry on their family legacies for 27 years and counting. Father & Daughter Team Juan Arturo & Frances Torruellas Make a Dynamic Team for Minuteman Press in Cupey Minuteman Press in Cupey, Puerto Rico, first opened in July of 1995. Juan A. Torruellas originally began looking to own a business in 1994, and he found the right fit with Minuteman Press. Juan reflects, “I was very determined to have my own business but had not defined what it would be. The year 1994 was the beginning of my journey seeking what type of business I would like to operate; I was sure that it would not be a food business but I did want a service-based business. For the past twenty years prior, I held managerial positions in finance and administration which helped me in that process. I was convinced after my participation in a franchise show in Miami, Florida, that my business would be Minuteman Press.” After several meetings with Minuteman Press representatives in Puerto Rico, Juan officially signed his agreement and entered training. Juan says, “On July 1, 1995, our presses started running. Like all beginnings, we went out day by day to present our innovative services in the printing business. By following the training and advice from Minuteman Press, we raised a bank of loyal customers, many of whom continue with us after 27 years.” In order to sustain their success and longevity, Juan talks about the need to adapt. He says, “We have recognized the need to evolve according to the needs of our customers, which is why in recent years the ‘printing on demand’ concept has been a priority in our operation, as well as offering a range of promotional products that meet the market needs.” He proudly adds, “Over the years, we have been recognized by Minuteman Press International for reaching monthly sales volumes of $250,000, as well as receiving their Customer Service Award, Top Quality Award and Top Appearance Award.” “Our philosophy has always been to treat the client honestly, to offer guidance on the best alternatives in terms of cost without affecting the quality of the product, and to have integrated services available to improve the image of each client.” -Juan A. Torruellas, owner, Minuteman Press, Cupey, Puerto Rico Second Generation in Sight Frances Torruellas first joined the team of Minuteman Press in Cupey in 2005, worked her way up from customer service to manager, and then became owner in 2018. Juan shares, “My daughter Frances Ivette joined the Minuteman Press team in the customer service area in the year 2005, a year after she attended the training in Farmingdale, where she was able to gain a broader perspective about our business. In a short time, Frances dominated the operation and became our manager. As her interest for the business kept growing, she became owner in 2018.” He adds, “I am so proud of the job she has done, and this truly is a family business.” When asked for his final reflections on operating his business, Juan says, “We must give an important and warm mention to now-retired RVP Jeff Robey, who supported us for many years. Jeff is truly special and was instrumental to our growth.” Juan concludes, “We are proud to represent a franchise in Minuteman Press International that has maintained its relevance and prestigious name throughout all of our years in this exciting and ever-changing industry.” Tere Quiñones Shares Insights on Running the Family Business and Carrying On Her Father’s Legacy as Owner of Minuteman Press in Hato Rey, San Juan Minuteman Press in Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico first opened in April of 1995. At that time, Tere Quiñones was in college and her father ran the family business. Tere says, “After I graduated from college and began to work on my Master’s degree, I helped my father out at the shop. Little by little, I learned every aspect of the business and fell in love with it. Never did I think that I would continue his legacy, and in some ways, I believe that Minuteman Press chose me.” As Tere reflects on her family’s 27 years in business, she shares the following three keys to the success and longevity of Minuteman Press in San Juan: “ 1. It’s very important to maintain an excellent group of employees, where we all feel like family. A comfortable working environment is important. If there is a good and happy staff, the daily workload feels easier. 2. Honesty. Always be honest to clients about the job request, whether it’s possible or not to meet their deadlines. That way they will always know that what you are telling them about any specifics of the job will be the truth. 3. Quality. Maintain the same printing quality, go that extra mile and make sure that even with changes in technology/machinery the quality remains the same. If there is a slight change in the quality, always contact the client beforehand let them know. Avoid surprises to your clients.” When asked about the various ways Minuteman Press in San Juan has grown, Tere shares, “Three ways we have grown over the years are by adding promotional products, doing email marketing campaigns targeting specific industries, and direct referrals from happy clients.” She continues, “Our key growth areas right now are wide format printing, hotel collaterals, and parking signage for companies. We also do a lot of Every Door Direct Mail as well as printing for schools. There is always going to be a need for printing; you just have to find what your customers are looking for.” “Our community is mixed between small businesses, schools, and seniors. We have a potpourri of walk-ins that makes every day different. Our clients have different needs and degrees of knowledge. Being able to assist them all and provide products and solutions is very satisfying.” - Tere Quiñones, Minuteman Press, San Juan, Puerto Rico Speaking of community, Minuteman Press in San Juan also stands out by making their center a place of learning. Tere says, “We have a copy center that is open to teachers and students, with special prices and offerings. It’s a nice resource for them and a great way to educate them about what we do.” Tere also appreciates the support she has received over the years. She says, “Minuteman Press International has always been present in assisting in all situations. Having a group of people that are always willing to advise us and help is definitely an advantage.” As she reflects further on the rewards of owning a business, Tere says, “The biggest reward of owning a business is having the ability to do something that you love. I also appreciate the flexibility because it’s much easier to be there for family activities and events than if you were working for someone else.” She concludes, “If you love what you do and work hard, the rest just seems to fall into place.” Minuteman Press in Cupey is located at Winston Churchill Avenue #138, Crown Hill, Cupey, PR 00926. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/pr/cupey/ Minuteman Press in San Juan is located at Ave. Americo Miranda #1503, San Juan, PR 00921. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/pr/san-juan20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

May 23, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Velocity Global raises $400M in Series B growth round

Velocity Global

Eldridge and Norwest Venture Partners lead funding round Achieves multi-billion dollar valuation, a 7x increase in one year Investment boosts the company’s Global Work Platform™ that enables businesses and talent to work with anyone, anywhere, anyhow Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, announced today that it raised $400 million in its Series B funding round, increasing the company’s valuation seven-fold since the same time last year. This second round of funding is led by Eldridge and Norwest Venture Partners which join Series A investor FFL Partners on Velocity Global’s board to lend their deep expertise in the areas of technology, future of work and global scale. The company retains majority ownership and founder Ben Wright continues as CEO and chair of the board of directors. “This is a pivotal moment for our company in the midst of a paradigm shift for employers and talent,” said Wright. “Access to work is no longer limited by borders or the star you are born under as the adoption of global talent accelerates. In March, we tripled the number of new supported talent on our platform compared to the same time last year, and the momentum continues to build. Eldridge and Norwest Venture Partners join FFL Partners to invest in people’s lives and the future of business. Massive kudos to our team for this achievement on our way to even greater heights.” Profitable since its founding in 2014, Velocity Global more than doubled its client roster over the past year, tripled the number of new supported talent on its platform, and will reach an annual net revenue run rate of $200 million by midyear as it continues to scale rapidly. “Velocity Global’s proven technology platform is positioned to transform the future of work, offering businesses a frictionless solution for building and expanding their teams,” said Todd Boehly, co-founder and CEO of Eldridge. “We are proud to partner with Ben and his team as demand continues to grow for best-in-class workforce solutions that support organizations looking to scale across the globe.” Parker Barrile, partner at Norwest Venture Partners, joins the Velocity Global board as a director. Barrile is the former vice president of product at LinkedIn who oversaw 20-fold growth as the company went public. “Velocity Global has a rare mix of scale, growth, and profitability that attracted us to be part of the next phase,” said Barrile. “The company is led by a strong leadership team with an ambitious roadmap, and we look forward to partnering with them as they accelerate the future of work.” The company’s Global Work Platform™ seamlessly connects employers and talent worldwide through proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, personalized expertise, and unmatched global scale. The platform offers a full suite of talent solutions, including global Employer of Record (EoR) and Contractor Management, to help thousands of companies compliantly onboard, manage, and pay full-time and part-time talent, contractors, and freelancers in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States. Velocity Global serves more than 1,200 clients and over 7,000 supported employees worldwide. The Velocity Global team is more than 700 employees strong in 47 countries across six continents with plans to more than double the number of employees by the end of the year. In 2021, the company successfully completed acquisitions of iWorkGlobal and Shield GEO that added capabilities to its Global Work Platform. Velocity Global will use the funds to continue enhancing the customer experience for both businesses and talent. The company will make further strategic investments in technology, sales and marketing, as well as potential future acquisitions to execute on its vision to provide a frictionless solution for businesses and talent to work with anyone, anywhere, anyhow. FT Partners served as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Velocity Global on this transaction. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work Platform™ simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. The platform offers a full suite of talent solutions, including global Employer of Record and Contractor Management, to help companies onboard, manage, and pay talent in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States. Thousands of brands rely on Velocity Global to build international teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a "Leader" in Global Employer of Record Services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information, visit velocityglobal.com. About Eldridge Eldridge invests in businesses across the Insurance, Asset Management, Technology, Mobility, Sports & Gaming, Media & Music, Real Estate, and Consumer landscapes. The firm seeks to build and grow businesses led by proven management teams that have demonstrated leadership and experience to scale an enterprise. Eldridge is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, with additional offices in Beverly Hills, New York, and London. To learn more about Eldridge, please visit www.eldridge.com. About Norwest Venture Partners Norwest is a leading venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $12.5 billion in capital. Since its inception, Norwest has invested in more than 650 companies and currently partners with more than 200 companies in its venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early- to late-stage businesses across a wide range of sectors with a focus on consumer, enterprise and healthcare. The Norwest team offers a deep network of connections, operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco, with subsidiaries in India and Israel. For more information, please visit www.nvp.com. Follow Norwest on Twitter @NorwestVP. Contact Details Corporate Communications Anja Koltes +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Eldridge Nadia Damouni +1 212-518-8012 ndamouni@prosek.com Norwest Venture Partners Kate Dishaw +1 650-321-8000 kdishaw@nvp.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

May 18, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Kitchen Magic Defines the Hybrid Kitchen

Kitchen Magic

Kitchen Magic outlines the combinations, homeowners are discovering along with the multitude of reasons why a customized hybrid kitchen may be the perfect solution for their next home remodeling project. Top Reasons Why a Hybrid Kitchen Makes Perfect Design Sense Essentially a hybrid kitchen is a design plan that combines both refacing and custom cabinetry. Refacing saves substantially on budget, allowing you to reinvest in other features and upgrades. Additional custom cabinetry or a new island creates valuable additional storage space and that visual change homeowners often want. The new cabinetry added into a hybrid kitchen remodel will perfectly match the refaced, existing cabinet boxes. The result is a highly personalized and transformative kitchen design. This hybrid approach improves the aesthetics and function of a kitchen, while also increasing the property value should you decide to sell down the road. The 2022 cost vs. value report says that a minor kitchen remodel will return 74.7% of the investment Make it personal A hybrid kitchen can include any type of custom-built cabinets, a desk, or a customized display case that matches the refacing cabinets for a unified space. Our design consultants often propose creative ideas for storage solutions, addressing issues you may not have even known you had. A good example of that might be creating a designated storage space for dry goods, spices, cooking essentials, and other everyday items. All of these improvements go a long way in helping you stay organized. How to hybrid Hybrid kitchens are a top trend in Kitchen Magic kitchens, and most homeowners utilize a hybrid design model to one degree or another. Designers do not see that trend slowing since the outcome is a custom solution for every customer. Even with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, many homeowners still have enhanced storage on their wish lists. We’ve outlined several of the most popular design scenarios for which a homeowner embraces a hybrid design plan: Pass on the peninsula Adding a custom kitchen island instead of a peninsula is more conducive to gatherings. Homeowners with older homes often bid adieu to their kitchen peninsula, as the U-shape is a configuration that tends to "trap" people into a particular prep or dining area. Instead, allow your kitchen design team to create a kitchen island for increased workflow. A kitchen island is also a user-friendly layout for dining and social gatherings. Storage space galore Stock up and add a bank of cabinets, a buffet, a credenza, or a pantry. Copious storage is more critical than ever as remote work and more time at home have become permanent for many. A top request of homeowners is additional storage for dry goods, small appliances, and cooking equipment allowing them to keep stocked up and maintain a high-functioning kitchen. An empty corner can become that creates a personalized focal point for your new kitchen design. Imagine a coffee station, device charging zone, bar area or even a display case as an empty corner becomes your ‘statement’ corner. Working from home A built-in desk offers a welcome addition to working and learning at home. On those days you can avoid the commute, and stay just as functional with an additional work-from-home zone. Reface the existing cabinets and add a custom deck that suits your home office needs. Design details A hybrid kitchen design allows your to claim extra space and even double your existing space with smart storage solutions, Whether you plan to add a pantry, credenza, or a mudroom with cabinets, the sky's the limit with the help of the skilled craftspeople and designers at Kitchen Magic. Up your design game with glass-front cabinets flanked by new pantry cabinets to increase storage and still showcase your new finds. Mix and match colors and textures for a unique design. A woodgrain display cabinet or island can add flair when paired with a white kitchen for a beautiful timeless look. When you're ready At Kitchen Magic, our signature refacing consists of premium North American lumber and solid veneers that set the tone for a quality, functional design. Our custom cabinetry is all USA Made, and hand crafted in our factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. To explore how you can transform the way your kitchen looks and functions with a free in-home design consultation. It’s fun, informative, and completely free! Give us a call at 866.437.6147, or click here to schedule your free design consultation with us today! ### ABOUT KITCHEN MAGIC Kitchen Magic is a kitchen remodeling company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Nazareth, PA. Kitchen Magic has been family-owned and operated since 1979. Kitchen Magic has transformed nearly 60,000 kitchens using an exclusive cabinet refacing process. Today, Kitchen Magic serves CT, DE, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, and R.I. Kitchen Magic is recognized by Qualified Remodeler as #1 in kitchen remodeling nationwide eight times, an 11-time Angie's List Super Service Award winner, a 10-time Best of Houzz winner for service & design, and an 8-time winner of The Morning Call's Top Workplace Award Contact Details Kitchen Magic LInda Fennessy +1 866-437-6147 linda.fennessy@kitchenmagic.com Company Website https://www.kitchenmagic.com

May 17, 2022 10:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Intus Care Announces Technical Assistance and Consulting Services to Support PACE Programs in Achieving Better Participant and Organizational Outcomes

Intus Care

Intus Care, developer of an innovative predictive analytics platform designed for geriatric health, announced today they now offer Technical Assistance and Consulting (TAC) services. These services are aimed at helping PACE programs achieve growth, streamline operations, improve clinical outcomes, reduce unnecessary service utilization costs, and other functional strategies. Intus Care’s team of leading PACE experts will take a hands-on approach alongside PACE programs’ leadership teams and staff to execute and complete project work plans. Intus Care augments improvement projects with organizational data to assist in identifying valid issues and opportunities within a PACE program. “Everyone at Intus Care is personally invested in PACE’s mission of providing quality care to dual Medicare/Medicaid and special needs participants, and we share a vision with PACE to improve clinical outcomes through data and to grow their unique model of care across the country,” said Robbie Felton, chief executive officer, Intus Care. “We are proud to have cultivated a topnotch team comprised of PACE experts that will work hand-in-hand with our PACE partners to help them develop, optimize, and grow their programs.” PACE North in Traverse City, Michigan, has been one of the first programs to utilize Intus Care’s TAC services. Intus Care’s Chief Strategy Officer, Laura Ferrara, has worked closely with PACE North’s leadership team in preparation for their next CMS audit to facilitate new committees, manage interdisciplinary teams, and leverage data to identify the root causes of high utilization events and mitigate proactively. PACE North assisted five (5) participants who were experiencing recurrent falls to decrease falls by 81% between March and April of 2022 based on updated processes. ( See case study ). “By working with Intus Care, we’ve been able to translate data into actions in order to be more proactive when it comes to protecting at-risk participants,” said Michelle Reardon, quality assurance director, PACE North. “Intus Care’s team have provided us a practical, rather than theoretical, roadmap to success which is highly effective towards achieving better health outcomes for our participants.” Intus Care’s TAC services include (but are not limited to): CMS Audit Preparation, Mock Audit Proposals, and Remediation Quality, Compliance, and Utilization Management Program Development Operational Management and Growth The rollout of TAC services will help PACE programs across the country address organizational issues and implement strategies to incorporate the use of patient data into daily operations. Its technology is currently part of PACE plans in seven (7) states and it has recently entered a Letter of Understanding with the National Pace Association to pursue a strategic partnership. Contact us today to discuss what Intus Care can do for your PACE organization. About Intus Care Intus Care synthesizes data to improve care and reduce hospitalizations for some of the most socially vulnerable and clinically complex patients in today’s healthcare system – senior citizens. The company has created a unique data-driven predictive analytics platform designed for organizations such as PACE programs, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home care agencies. It easily integrates with existing electronic health records, claims, and financial software to automatically extract and analyze data. By highlighting participant risk and care-focused information, the Intus Care software empowers clinicians, nurses, and other care providers by informing decisions that improve outcomes. Learn more at http://www.intuscare.com/. Contact Details SVM Public Relations Jordan Bouclin and Erika Harris +1 401-490-9700 intuscare@svmpr.com Company Website https://www.intuscare.com/

May 17, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Underline Science Closes Pre-Series A Round To Further Advance Scholarly Research With The Growth Of The Digital Video Library

Underline Science Inc

Most industries have progressed from paper to all forms of content; how is it that one of our most essential industries, science, is staying behind. This is something Underline's founder doesn't understand, and therefore he will change it with the launch of the Underline Digital Video Library (DVL). With a considerable track record, this multi-accomplished founder is now taking on the big publishers in a way that hasn't been seen before as a premier aggregator of streaming scientific conference lecture video content. Together with his team of industry leaders, Underline is aiming to transcend the industry into the 21st century. The mission of Underline is to improve researchers' access to quality scientific conference lecture video content. Historically, if you did not attend a scientific conference, you would miss out on all of the conference's lectures. Underline's DVL contains 26,000+ videos (Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities). The video content from the world's prestigious scientific societies and universities, like IEEE, Endocrine, AIP, lecturers from MIT, Harvard, Facebook, Google, etc. Each video is complete with abstract, English transcription, bio, picture of the author, and most importantly, a DOI (digital object identifier), which ensures that the video can be searched and discovered. Today, the company announced that it had raised a $2.5 million Pre-Series A round of funding, led by South Central Ventures and the Dutch Founders Fund. As a result, Mr. Jure Mikuz (South Central Ventures) and Mr. Laurens Groenendijk (Dutch Founders Fund) will join the Underline Board of Directors. "With this new round of funding, we'll be able to enhance the Underline DVL features and content greatly. Further to grow the team and expand our go-to-market strategy," Underline CEO and founder Alex Lazinica said in a press release. "We are looking forward to increasing our penetration into the library, government and corporate, institutional subscription market." South Central Ventures, who led the round, Managing Partner Jure Mikuz, said, “Underline’s mission resonates with us very well as they are addressing a global opportunity of creating a library of global scientific video content. I believe they will be successful by facilitating their excellent execution skills and deep industry knowledge. We are very excited to join Underline on this journey.” Founding Partner Laurens Groenendijk of The Dutch Founders Fund states, " We believe that if Underline Science manages to tap into the apparent possible network effects, it can quickly grow to be the dominant player in science content aggregation. We at Dutch Founders hope to see “underlining become a verb”. If anyone is going to do it, We know a seasoned entrepreneur like Alex is. “ Underline's business model is an annual subscription fee for unlimited access to the entire Digital Video Library for the subscribing institution's community. About Underline Science Underline is the premier virtual conference platform for events in science, medicine, academia, and other professional fields. Underline’s mission is to capture and disseminate scientific knowledge through video, making it globally accessible by enriching and preserving both virtual and hybrid conference content. Underline’s groundbreaking scientific Digital Video Library is providing new opportunities to access and expand the scientific record and accelerate scientific discovery. For more information, visit the Underline website and follow Underline on Twitter. About South Central Ventures South Central Ventures is a VC investor with the longest presence in the Balkans. Operating out of four offices – Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade and Skopje – the team has invested in about 40 early stage tech companies and has been an integral part of the local start up communities. With a strong base of international investors, South Central Ventures is a go-to investor for regional tech companies competing in global markets. SCV’s portfolio companies include Cognism, Celtra, Agrivi, Orgnostic and AdScanner, among others. About Dutch Founders Fund DutchFounders is an early-stage venture capital fund from Amsterdam, started by a group of successful Dutch entrepreneurs like Laurens Groenendijk (Just Eat, Treatwell, Miinto, Hiber), Patrick Kerssemakers (fonQ), Bas Beerens (WeTransfer), Hidde Hoogcarspel (Spacebuzz) and Remco van Zanten ( Booking, Zalando, Vinted and BCG). The fund specialises in marketplaces and companies with strong network effects. Since its launch in 2018, the fund has successfully invested in 16 companies. This includes: YourCampus, Shypple, Vintage Cash Cow, Lumaly, Blanco, Nostics, Reveall, Veylinx, Wonderkind, Voicebooking, Fleks, Minimum, Caya, Winc Academy, Buildstream and Tracedock (exited to CM.com). The total fund has almost €100 million assets under management. DutchFounders is a committed partner of Techleap’s Fundright initiative. ### Contact Details Underline Science, Inc. Darrell W Gunter +1 973-454-3475 darrell@underline.io Company Website https://www.underline.io/

May 17, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Provident Hires Tara Brady as Customer Experience Director

Provident Bank

Provident Bank, a leading New Jersey-based financial institution, announced today that Tara Brady has joined the Bank as First Vice President, Customer Experience Director. The newly created position underscores the Bank’s commitment to elevate the customer experience. Ms. Brady is responsible for crafting and executing strategic initiatives that improve the customer experience across all touchpoints of their journey. In addition, she will collect, analyze, and synthesize information to produce actionable outcomes for a best-in-class customer experience. Ms. Brady will also establish and execute a roadmap for a Voice of the Customer (VoC) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) program, refining it on an ongoing basis and communicating its status to executive stakeholders. “We are striving to transform the organization to consistently engage customers with superior interactions with measurable results,” said Robert Capozzoli, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. “Tara’s successful track record as a recognized customer experience leader and her passion for developing a customer centric culture that turns customers into fans and advocates, makes her a perfect fit to lead this critical initiative,” added Mr. Capozzoli. Ms. Brady has more than 10 years’ experience invigorating and transforming the sales and customer experience cultures of high performing financial institutions. Most recently, she was Director of Member Experience for Affinity Federal Credit Union, where she improved and expanded customer experience milestones and deliverables, reconfigured sales enablement for the entire organization, and re-strategized, streamlined, and improved processes for operational excellence. She has also held senior leadership positions with WSFS Bank and Wells Fargo. About Provident Bank Provident Bank, a community-oriented financial institution offering “Commitment you can count on” since 1839, is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $13.39 billion as of September 30, 2021. With $10.84 billion in deposits, Provident Bank provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, as well as Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Queens County in New York. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, SB One Insurance Agency, Inc. For more information about Provident Bank, visit www.provident.bank or join the conversations on Facebook (ProvidentBank) and Twitter (@ProvidentBank). Contact Details Keith Buscio, Director of Public Relations +1 732-590-9407 Keith.Buscio@Provident.Bank Company Website https://www.provident.bank

May 17, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Steve Weber Reflects on 30 Years in Business As Minuteman Press Franchise Owner in Norwich, CT

Minuteman Press International Inc

Located at 595 W. Main Street, Minuteman Press in Norwich, Connecticut first opened in August 1992. Owner Steve Weber shares the following insights and advice as he reflects on celebrating 30 years in business: “I guess looking at it from the outside 30 years is quite an accomplishment, especially when you realize I was 40 years old when we started. I think that this milestone means it is almost time to retire. Our success can be attributed to a number of things. For the first 25 years, my wife and partner Gail helped grow the business and keep me on track. Since she has retired, I think our continued success can be attributed to surrounding myself with the best people as well as giving excellent customer service and evolving our business to meet the times. Our equipment and services have definitely evolved. Several years ago, we became an all-digital shop. We have invested in the equipment needed to provide excellent quality with the quick turnaround time our customers expect. We also have great suppliers who can provide old school offset printing when the job calls for it. We have expanded into the ad specialty market and learned the specifics of selling clothing. We have also invested in mailing equipment. This has been an excellent complement to our printing. We never sell a large printing job without asking, ‘What are you doing with this printing?’ Often, the answer has been we are mailing it. Providing mailing has earned us many new customers. Our community is relatively rural. We do not have any trade binderies to help support our business. To that end we have invested in our own bindery. We have a collator / booklet maker, as well as a perfect binder and a small die cutting unit. To complement the mailing services, we also have a folder inserter. We do over 100,000 business cards per month so we added a slitter cutter to automate that service. The machine is relatively slow but we have nicknamed it ‘set it and forget it.’ The person in bindery can set it up and do another job while it is running. We are proof that ‘print is dead’ is not truthful. Our customers still want business cards to hand out and annual reports to distribute. We also work with many nonprofits who have learned that the best return on fundraising is by mailing the information. Email just does not work to this end. Minuteman Press International has guided us every step of the way. From our first meeting with Roy Titus to now working with Nick Titus, we always feel comfortable. We have been fortunate to have Ron Rubin as our New England Regional Vice President. His wisdom and guidance have kept me focused on the goal of success. The proprietary software we used originally developed by Minuteman Press has also evolved. The current FLEX management software has been a great help especially when training employees in our company. We have been fortunate over the years to introduce more than a few other people into the Minuteman Press system. Our son Michael and his wife Lindsey now have 3 Minuteman Press locations of their own in Enfield, CT, Springfield, MA, and Brattleboro, VT. We did a mailing a number of years ago to the printers in our area. We have been able to acquire four different independent businesses who were competitors. It creates a win/win because the owners are typically retiring and they know their clients will be left in good hands. Lastly, this is not a business for an absentee owner. You must work in your business to succeed. After 30 years, I no longer work 50 hours/week, but I am still involved. My staff now does the heavy lifting but when we are bidding a large project, I appreciate them reaching out to me to utilize my years of experience.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Norwich, CT, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ct/norwich/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

May 16, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Kivvit Named Reed Awards’ Public Affairs Firm of The Year for Third Year in a Row

Kivvit

Kivvit was recognized across a range of categories at the 2022 Reed Awards last week, becoming the first firm to earn the title of Public Affairs Firm of the Year for three consecutive years. Kivvit also won 10 awards for its impactful work with the State of New Jersey Department of Health, demonstrating the success of the firm’s data-driven and strategic creative and messaging approach around business, politics and public advocacy issues. The awards spanned across best in TV (English and Spanish language), online video, use of AR, and more. Kivvit has worked to amplify Department of Health messaging and resources to change public behavior and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 since the early stages of the pandemic in April 2020. Since then, Kivvit’s work has evolved to encompass a multitude of strategies, leveraging state-of-the-art insights and thousands of ads in dozens of languages. This high-impact work with the Department of Health has led to measurable, life-saving results reflected by an improvement in statewide COVID-19 testing rates and the success of the state’s vaccination efforts. Kivvit also secured a win for work with the Environmental League of Massachusetts IE PAC on an environmental and climate advocacy platform for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s mayoral race. See the full list of Kivvit’s wins here. This recognition comes on the heels of Kivvit’s success at this year’s PRovoke SABRE Awards, winning four of the most prestigious awards in North America for work with the New Jersey Department of Health and Anheuser-Busch. Of Kivvit’s work with the New Jersey Department of Health, Paul Holmes, chair of the SABRE judges, described the campaign as “everything our judges are looking for in a modern 21st century public relations campaign. It was data-driven, with sharp insights and impressive creativity across multiple channels, and—most important—it resulted in real, measurable behavior change. It’s no exaggeration to say that this campaign saved lives.” About Kivvit Kivvit is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent strategic communications and public affairs firms in the United States, with over 130 professionals across six offices in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Kivvit has earned over 60 awards and recognitions in the past 5 years, including Public Affairs of the Year (Reed Awards), Digital Agency of the Year (PRovoke SABRE North America), Most Innovative Agency (Bulldog Stars of PR Awards), and a Best Agency to Work For (PRovoke). Kivvit also leads O'Dwyer's national rankings of independent communications firms across multiple categories, including #1 for Real Estate Finance & Development, #2 for Energy and Non-Profit, #4 for Purpose and Corporate Social Responsibility. To learn more and see what we do, visit www.Kivvit.com and follow us @TeamKivvit. Contact Details Zach Silber +1 212-929-0669 zsilber@kivvit.com Company Website https://www.kivvit.com/

May 10, 2022 02:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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