News Hub | News Direct

Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
Article thumbnail News Release

Justin Williams and Xzeria Denson Named Winners of Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award

Atlanta Tipoff Club

Justin Williams of Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, Fla., and Xzeria Denson of Ridgeland High School in Ridgeland, Miss., have been named the winners of the third annual Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award, according to the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award recognizes one male and one female high school basketball player who has consistently gone above and beyond throughout the basketball season and has demonstrated courage in their approach to their team, school, and community. Hundreds of coaches and athletic directors nominated players from around the country. Born with Aperts syndrome, Williams has undergone 12 surgeries throughout his childhood. His condition results in his outer extremities being fused together and not separated in the womb. Five of his surgeries have been on his head. Despite his challenges, Williams is a leader on the basketball court and never makes excuses or complains about his struggles. His coach applauded Williams for his character as well as his basketball IQ. He is a mentor for the younger players and an inspiration to teammates. To view a tribute video for Williams, click HERE. Denson overcame significant lower-body injuries each of her four years during her high school basketball career while navigating obstacles in her personal life. After an ankle injury that jeopardized her senior year, Denson attended physical therapy before school in order to attend practices in the afternoon and return to game action before her team’s district competition. While navigating obstacles in early childhood, Denson learned how to work hard and be a leader inside the school and out. Denson's coach describes Denson as the hardest worker and an incredible leader on and off the court. To view a tribute video for Denson, click HERE. “Beyond the basketball court, Xzeria and Justin display courage every day of their lives, and we are honored to recognize them as the winners of the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “They are role models in their schools, communities, and for people across the country, as their remarkable stories spread through this award.” Ten finalists, and ultimately the two winners, were chosen by a Board of Selectors, including journalists, former Naismith winners, and Atlanta Tipoff Club board members. Jersey Mike’s will donate to the winners’ high school basketball programs in honor of Williams and Denson. “We want to thank all of the coaches and athletic directors who made nominations from all over the country on behalf of their incredibly courageous players,” said Rich Hope, chief marketing officer, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “Reading their stories of strength and resilience was inspiring. We want to congratulate Xzeria and Justin for winning this year’s Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award and celebrate all the nominees across the country.” For more information about the winners, visit www.astudentabove.com. ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder. ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 2,000 locations nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/jerseymikes), Instagram (instagram.com/jerseymikes), and Twitter (twitter.com/jerseymikes.com). Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.astudentabove.com

April 12, 2022 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Minuteman Press Franchise in Welshpool, Perth, Western Australia Celebrates 17 Years, Shares Growth Strategies

Minuteman Press International Inc

Rod Hambley has owned his Minuteman Press printing franchise in Welshpool since March of 2005. In May of 2021, Rod purchased 15-year independent print shop Images on Paper. Following the acquisition, Rod merged staff from both businesses and has been producing more in-house orders with the equipment that was added. The result has been doubling and even tripling monthly sales in the months following the acquisition. This includes a record sales month for his 17-year business, Rod says, “We’ve clearly had sustained business growth since the acquisition. Sales for both new and existing clients are in line with past turnover for both.” Welcome to Minuteman Press in Welshpool Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Welshpool, Rod worked in the banking industry. He shares, “I was in banking for 25 years and worked as Branch Manager for several banks. I found Minuteman Press at a franchise show and in gaining a rapport with the Regional Vice President, I saw this as a viable option I could venture to when finished at the bank.” Under Rod’s leadership and following the acquisition of Images on Paper, Minuteman Press in Welshpool has continued to grow its core business. Rod says, “Our core business is always in high demand. We offer our clients high quality printing from our wide format machine which produces posters, signage, and stickers of all shapes and sizes. Our digital machine prints booklets, flyers, business cards, and much more. We also still run an offset machine for NCR Books, envelopes, and spot colour work that are all still in demand.” “It is important for local businesses to market and promote themselves. We are able to design and produce the items they need for those purposes and they also need printing of workbooks, forms, and plenty of other items for their operations as well.” -Rod Hambley, owner, Minuteman Press, Welshpool Acquiring Images on Paper As for how the acquisition of Images on Paper came about, it was a combination of Rod being proactive in looking at local acquisition targets in his area as well as the local Minuteman Press outreach campaign initiated by Regional Vice President Glenn Coyle. Rod says, “We have had our eye on this business in the area for a number of years among others. I have done smaller acquisitions over the years that were successful as I still have some clients from those. I saw Images on Paper as a good prospect where the owner might be looking to retire, and Glenn Coyle also identified them through an acquisition campaign.” Glenn Coyle says, “I reached out to Images on Paper and set up a confidential meeting with the owner Harry and his wife Robyn. We chatted for a while and after we got to know each other and I learned about their business, we all moved forward with a plan for Rod to acquire the business if all went well so Harry and Robyn could sell the business and retire.” Glenn adds, “Once I looked over the paperwork they provided, I met with Harry and Robyn again and told them my plan to introduce their business to Rod. They were happy for me to do this. After Rod met with Harry and Robyn, things went well, and they ultimately came to an agreement on price, terms, equipment, staff, and changeover date.” Rod shares, “The benefit to the seller was to save on brokerage costs, and the benefit to me was the increased sales as well as merging staff and added equipment for in-house jobs.” Advice for Others When asked what advice he would give to others looking to own a business, Rod answers, “Be prepared to work hard and find good staff. Also, you should ensure that you have steady cash flow and enough for a rainy day or two.” Minuteman Press in Welshpool is located at U2 119 Welshpool Rd., Welshpool, WA 6106. For more information, visit their website: https://www.welshpool.minutemanpress.com.au. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities in Australia at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.au. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 11, 2022 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

California Cable & Telecommunications Association Announces New President

Comcast California

After an extensive nationwide search, the California Cable & Telecommunications Association (“CCTA”), a leader in the development of video, broadband and communications policy in California, announced today that Janus Norman has been selected as President of the Association. Mr. Norman will commence his employment April 25. Norman has over a decade of legislative and government experience in California, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of the California Medical Association (CMA) where he oversaw all legislative and political activities for the organization. Prior to his role at CMA, he served as Legislative Advocate for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Judicial Council of California. “Janus brings a wealth of experience to the role, and our Board of Directors is thrilled to have such a strong and respected leader to guide the next chapter of the CCTA,” said board chairman, Sam Attisha. “His work with the California State Legislature and regulatory agencies, and his expertise with community advocacy will help CCTA create an even greater and lasting impact within the innovative broadband and telecommunications industry.” “I could not be more grateful to accept the position as president of this well-established organization with such a long history of accomplishments and successes,” said Janus Norman. “CCTA is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the ever-changing broadband and telecommunications environment here in California. As the industry evolves, my goal in leading the CCTA will be to continue to build on past successes while pushing forward to the next level.” Norman was recently awarded Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 Influential People in California Politics. He received a BA Degree in Communications Studies from California State University, Sacramento, an MBA from the University of Southern California and was part of the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program. For more on his background, please visit his LinkedIn profile: Janus Norman on LinkedIn About the California Cable & Telecommunications Association: The California Cable & Telecommunications Association (CCTA) is the industry’s largest state cable and telecommunications association. CCTA is a leader in the development of video, broadband and communications policy in California, and represents the industry before the California State Legislature, state regulatory agencies and the state and federal courts. www.calcable.org Contact Details Richelle Orlando ro@calcable.org

April 11, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Volatus Aerospace Provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Drones to Support Ukraine

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV:VOL, OTCQB:VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has begun delivery of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (“ISR”) drones to a consortium of organizations that are focused upon the three critical areas of support to Ukraine: medical supplies, non-lethal military equipment, and assistance to displaced persons. In addition to the ISR unmanned aircraft, Volatus is providing anti-drone systems and training. Under the terms of various supply agreements, Volatus has made initial shipments to humanitarian organizations like Mriya Aid, and Second Front Ukraine Foundation - a registered Canadian not-for-profit corporation working with trusted partners across North America and in Ukraine to deliver goods necessary to protect the lives of Ukrainians in the face of Russian aggression. To meet the growing need for this equipment, Volatus is prepared to fulfill continuing requirements for its products. Volatus CEO, Glen Lynch, commented: "We are honoured and proud to support Second Front, Mriya Aid, and others. This technology provides accurate real-time intelligence while reducing risk to the people who have chosen to serve, and, as recent videos have highlighted, civilians who are at significant risk." Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout Canada, the United States, Latin America and most recently in Europe. Operating a vast pilot network, Volatus serves commercial and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, and design, manufacturing, and R&D. Through its subsidiary Volatus Aviation, Volatus carries on the business of aircraft management, charter sales, and cargo services using piloted, remotely piloted, and autonomous aircraft. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Corporation with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding (i) the business plans and expectations of the Corporation; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Corporation, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects the Corporation’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Corporation; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in this news release and the Circular, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Circular under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Volatus Aerospace Rob Walker +1 514-447-7986 rob.walker@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

April 11, 2022 07:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has yet again taken the initiative to introduce new female-friendly policies as part of its continuous workplace reforms which aim to provide the most inclusive and welcoming environment possible for all its employees. Demonstrating that the company is serious about bringing about positive change, it has updated its Parental Leave Policy to include provisions for miscarriage or stillbirth, across all its locations. FHH already has generous maternity leave provisions for working mothers who benefit from 16 weeks of paid leave, above what the International Labour Organization recommends, and it even offers 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, which puts it at the forefront not only in the MENA region but also globally. Employees are eligible for compassionate leave upon the unfortunate event of a female employee or a male employee’s spouse suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In both instances the employee is entitled to five days of paid leave, and females may take an additional five days of unpaid leave. This comes in line with FHH’s core values to lead with empathy and extend leave to women needing time to recover physically and emotionally, and to consider the needs of male partners as well. No other company in the region offers such a generous leave policy, with provisions for maternity, paternity, miscarriage or stillbirth, in addition to a monthly day off for females. James Michael Lafferty, FHH CEO, said, “Our company believes that – if we take care of the people, the business will take care of itself – which is why we are constantly on the lookout for practices that support our employees’ wellbeing, especially during pivotal moments in their lives. With our updated policy our aim is to live our values and support our employees through difficult times.” FHH adheres to the highest standards of HR practices with a strong emphasis on supporting and empowering parents within its workforce. It is worth mentioning that the company was recently recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple accolated and awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

April 11, 2022 02:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Kivvit Earns Top 5 Spot In Multiple Specialty Categories In O’Dwyer’s 2022 Rankings

Kivvit

Kivvit previously announced it once again ranked among the top 20 largest firms overall, driven by revenue growth of 12.9% to $39.8 million last year. The latest specialty rankings from O’Dwyer’s showcase Kivvit’s leadership in a diverse array of categories, demonstrating our depth across critical industries and issue areas, as well as our ability to apply innovative approaches and achieve outcomes in any context. Kivvit landed in the top 5 for the following specialty categories: #1 Real Estate Finance & Development #2 Energy #2 Non-Profit #3 Education #4 Purpose/Corporate Social Responsibility “From wind and solar to transmission or utilities, Kivvit teams worked with clients in every area of clean energy in 2021. We also supported a number of innovative companies in the greentech space that are helping support the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Maura Farrell, Managing Director and co-leader of Kivvit’s energy working group, which convenes subject matter experts from across the firm to address the industry’s most pressing issues. “We are so proud to work in this industry during this most dynamic time.” “2021 was the year for colleges and universities to get their students back on campus after the turmoil of 2020. Higher education took the largest hit to their revenue model since the financial crisis. Through Kivvit’s crisis communications capabilities, reputation management insights, and an “audience first” approach to student enrollment, we worked with elite universities and access oriented colleges and universities to boost enrollment with innovative advertising and creative content to help them stand out from their peer institutions.” said Managing Director Kent Holland, who co-leads Kivvit’s higher education working group. Kivvit also achieved top rankings in several other categories, including Environment, Sustainability, and Greentech (#6); Sports (#6); Automotive and Transportation (#7); Industrial (#10); and Healthcare (#18). 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 Non Profits, #2 for Energy, #3 for Corporate Social Responsibility, #3 for Real Estate, and #4 for Education. 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/

April 07, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Ben Wright, Rob Wellner, and Velocity Global receive First Descents’ Horizon Line Award for Leadership Support of MS Programming

Velocity Global

First Descents awards Ben Wright and Rob Wellner the Horizon Line Award at the 15th Annual First Descents Ball in recognition of Velocity Global’s visionary support of First Descents’ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) programming. “When I was diagnosed with MS 13 years ago, it turned my life upside down,” shares Rob Wellner, Velocity Global’s Chief Revenue Officer. “While medical treatments for MS have improved over time, psychosocial opportunities for those living with this diagnosis still remain limited. I’m honored to help enable these life-changing programs for the MS community in partnership with First Descents, and to be a part of a company dedicated to scaling our philanthropy for meaningful causes as we grow.” Each year, First Descents presents its highest honor - the Horizon Line Award - at the First Descents Ball to an individual or organization who dedicates their time, guidance, and wisdom to First Descents, asking nothing in return. In kayaking, one of our flagship outdoor programs, the horizon line is where the river descends into rapids not viewable by the paddler. At this point, the paddler must rely on his or her skills, tenacity, and the dedicated support of teammates. Over the past two decades, First Descents has experienced countless rapids and milestones in its history, and the team has relied on generous and selfless people and partners, like the entire Velocity Global team, to allow them to charge confidently ahead. “It’s a true honor to receive the Horizon Line Award on behalf of the entire Velocity Global team that puts us in the position to support First Descents and the young adult MS community. I’ve witnessed the transformative and healing power of adventure on their programs, including the very first MS program First Descents provided in 2018,” says Ben Wright, Founder and CEO of Velocity Global. “Service is one of the values we live by in our company, and First Descents embodies service to the full wellbeing of young adults living with MS. I’m proud of our partnership and the opportunity to support their mission in any way we can.” Velocity Global and First Descents have shared a special partnership since 2014 when the two Colorado-based companies became office neighbors at INDUSTRY Denver. Quickly bonding, Velocity Global employees now volunteer annually at First Descents’ programs and fundraisers, including the Ragnar Trail Relay Snowmass and TransRockies Run. In 2018, Velocity Global contributed $150,000 to pilot MS programming which began with a whitewater kayaking experience in Tarkio, Montana. In 2021, Velocity Global announced a transformative $1 million contribution to expand adventure programs for young adults with MS. “This year, we were honored to present Ben, Rob, and the entire Velocity Global team with our prestigious Horizon Line Award. We’ve long believed that our programs can serve populations beyond oncology. Ben and Rob shared this vision, and provided us with the generous funding, clinical connections, and support to extend the healing power of adventure to the MS community,” notes Ryan O’Donoghue, CEO, First Descents. “Their support will help us to serve hundreds of young adults living with MS in the coming years while building meaningful partnerships with patient advocacy groups and neurology clinics nationwide.” First Descents has served 57 MS participants across six programs since launching their pilot MS program in 2018. First Descents aims to serve more than 225 MS participants over the next three years. 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 First Descents First Descents (FD) is a leader in adventure-based healing. Through outdoor adventure, community building, and lifestyle development, FD improves long-term survivorship and quality of life for young adults impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, First Descents has served more than 10,000 participants over the last 20 years. Beginning in 2020, First Descents launched programs for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. All services are fully-adaptive and free of charge. A Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit, First Descents has been recognized on CNN Heroes and Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work. Contact Details Velocity Global Anja Koltes +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com First Descents Becca Rohrer +1 828-712-5927 becca.rohrer@firstdescents.org Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

April 06, 2022 05:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Minuteman Press Franchise in Bath, England Moves to New Location, Lands Bath City FC Sponsorship

Minuteman Press International Inc

After 23 years in business and now entering their 24 th year, the long-time Minuteman Press franchise in Bath England has moved to a beautiful new location located on Pines Way Industrial Estate in central Bath. Since the move, Minuteman Press in Bath has nearly doubled production capacity and produced quicker turnaround times for their clients. In what has been a busy year for Minuteman Press in Bath, they have also landed a back of shirt sponsorship for Bath City FC. Throughout the 2021/2022 season, Minuteman Press in Bath has had their logo on player uniforms to increase their brand awareness and visibility. Managing Director David Ghent and Marketing Director Dave Dixon talk about the history of the business as well as what the future holds for Minuteman Press in Bath. What is the history of the business? Dave Dixon: “It all started in 1998 when our MD David Ghent had a vision to provide the best printing services in Bath. He saw a gap in the market for a city-centre location to offer on-site print and copying services. We’ve since outgrown our Walcot Street site and have developed into a commercial, print and signage service in our new facility at Pines Way.” How has the business grown and what are the keys to your success? David Ghent: “For us it’s always been about putting our customers first. We like to help them stretch their marketing budgets as far as possible. Sometimes it’s not about finding the cheapest option, it’s about the maximum return on investment. The success of our customer base is our success. We still have customers today that placed their first orders back in 1998!” What would you say have been the major changes to the printing industry over the past decade? Dave Dixon: “Speed and print enhancements! Sure, if you want a simple brochure to go through the door or get picked up with a load of other flyers that’s great, we can produce thousands of those and you’ll get a small percentage return rate. However, we find that once we add a spot of gloss, gold ink or foil it stands out from the crowd. We’ve also invested heavily over the years in the most up to date technology and most reliable kit to ensure that we can produce great results on time and quickly. After all you’ve seen it on your screen and you are keen to have it in your hand.” How do you set yourself apart from the competition especially online suppliers? David Ghent: “Online print is great if you want cheap bulk printing and you’re 100 percent sure that your artwork is designed well, you’re not too concerned about the final colours and you don’t need any advice or are not expecting a long term relationship with a local supplier. Most of our clients value business relationships and like to discuss their print job and how they might make it look as good as possible. Alongside that excellent level of customer service, we are also able to meet almost any deadline; most of our work is produced the same day on site here at Pines Way, with real people checking your artwork, colours and print quality. We are also a one stop shop. We will deal with your business forms, flyers and brochures, and we can also produce shop signage, vehicle graphics and exhibition displays. You really don’t need to go to many sources for your marketing materials. That’s how we differentiate ourselves.” How did you adapt over the past two years and diversify your offerings? Dave Dixon: “We very soon discovered the joy of floor and wall graphics! We did a little but of that pre-pandemic, but then we had to take it to another level. Our Large Format Studio Manager was in fact working hard during the first lockdown producing a catalogue with a full range of social distancing signage. We also had to test the materials to ensure that they were safe enough for installation on the ground – we really didn’t want people slipping on our floor graphics! We produced thousands of linear metres of floor and wall graphics. We continue to do so now, but for marketing purposes rather than safety.” Why did you decide to move to your new location and what does it mean for your clients and your future? David Ghent: “In reality, we outgrew Walcot Street and we really could not reach our full potential there. The new location represents a €1 million investment in the business. We have two of Xerox’s top end presses and we have added the full range of specialty colours to those, this includes white, fluorescent, gold, silver and clear toners, the range of colours we can really achieve is impressive. We’ve added short run foiling in house and of course our huge vehicle bay means that we can now do signwriting on cars and vans. Our signage team is expanding our offerings further. Interiors will be a big growth area for us including printed graphics on walls, floors, and windows. Window blinds are very popular at the moment and a really cost-effective way to keep your branding visible.” What makes you most proud as you reflect on the past 24 years? Dave Dixon: “We are proud of our level of customer retention. We work closely with our client base to ensure that they are always happy. We are also always happy to give back to our local community through supporting charities and clubs with free or heavy discounted pricing, as well as being proud to be a local business taking part in the civic life of our city.” What’s next for Minuteman Press in Bath? David Ghent: “We are in the right premises at last, so we now need to consolidate and plan for expansion. We need to continue strengthening our print and signage offerings and ensure that we are seen locally as Bath’s number one printer, as well as growing our online sales.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Bath, England, visit https://minutemanbath.co.uk. Learn more about Minuteman Press UK franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.co.uk. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 06, 2022 10:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Learn to Earn community, Qureos secures $3M funding round to accelerate 100M careers

Qureos

UAE-based EdTech and Future of Work marketplace Qureos has raised $3M million in its pre-seed round led by Dubai-based early-stage VC COTU Ventures and New York-based early-stage VC Colle Capital as it seeks to fast track growth and democratize “Learn to Earn” opportunities for talent globally. The round also saw participation from global and regional investors, including Globivest, Plutus21 Capital, Dubai Angel Investors, and AlZayani Venture Capital. ​​Several angel investors including current and former leaders of Swvl, Boston Consulting Group, Moelis & Company, Careem, Cisco Systems, Koinz, Message Bird, Bain & Company, Hiperpool, ADNOC, QIA, and other notable individuals. Founded in August 2021 by Alexander Epure, Mehrad Yaghmai and Usama Nini, Queros began life as a passion project for the founders to accelerate careers by making mentorship more accessible. This passion project was validated when selected by the Dubai Future Accelerators to solve the skill gap in the transition from campus to the workplace and in between jobs. Qureos is building an experiential learning community to change how people connect, learn and work. Qureos is helping people from over 127 countries learn in-demand skills through cohort-based learning paths led by world-class industry experts that match the hiring demands from Qureos’ business partners. Qureos is solving the skill gap in the transition from campus to the workplace and those changing careers. Globally, there are 254 million Gen Z who have graduated and are still unemployed due to the skill gap, most notably in emerging markets where youth unemployment is above 36%. The job market is changing faster than school curriculums and emerging talent are not getting traditional job placements. Qureos is tapping into the $470B e-learning and future of work markets that are currently separated. “We believe that new learning models like Qureos, which combine cohort-based, synchronous education with community, are going to become more mainstream and disrupt traditional players. From our perspective, the energy and passion that the team exhibited from our initial conversations, to the traction demonstrated so early on, and the deep product vision, were all ingredients to driving our conviction in the business. We’re excited to be a part of this journey and seeing the team’s vision of upskilling talent become a reality. “ said Amir Farha - Founder and Managing Partner at COTU Ventures With instant applications on many job platforms today, hiring fatigue is becoming a burden on HR teams with 47% of candidates failing job interviews due to a lack of alignment to the company. By 2025, Millennials and Gen Z will make up 75% of the global workforce according to Deloitte. As a result, businesses are facing an increasing average cost of hiring of $4,129 per hire and an average time-to-hire of 42 days. By creating a learning community, Qureos allows growing businesses to tap into an on-demand workforce of talent who have been mentored to deliver a high quality of work. With Qureos, businesses are able to reduce their cost-to-hire by up to 79% and their time-to-hire by 36% through Qureos’ proprietary performance-based hiring framework. “Learning and hiring are disconnected and Qureos aims to leverage its unique position at the nexus of these two markets through an experiential learning community where emerging talent can learn from industry experts and gain experience through mentor-led hiring cohorts from businesses,” said Alexander Epure, Co-Founder and CEO at Qureos. “Qureos is going after a massive opportunity with the ultimate aim of creating an ecosystem that unlocks the potential of the human capital. There is a huge untapped potential amongst emerging talent which is not harnessed and it’s about time we create an inspirational story that brings together people who align with our mission” said the founders. With native network effects of the platform, Qureos has been able to achieve phenomenal organic growth of 25,000+ users, as well as attracting mentors from leading organizations including Google, Paypal, Amazon, Cisco, and more than 100 business partners globally. “Creators and industry experts can seamlessly monetize their knowledge, build an online presence and personal brand while giving back to the local and global community.“ said Tomas Panek - Digital Marketing at Qatar Airways. Victoria Grace, Founder and Managing Partner at Colle Capital said: “We see tremendous opportunity in Qureos’ mission to bridge knowledge gaps and upskill professionals through leveraging the extraordinary pathway with direct mentorship. Simultaneously this platform provides a fantastic opportunity for highly skilled individuals to directly monetize their knowledge base, compounded by distinct network effects, and for companies to access high quality and motivated pool of talent. It is also extremely gratifying to see the proliferation of entrepreneurial talent in the region directly stemming from the success of Swvl. It is clear to us at Colle Capital that the rising Swvl Mafia will be at the forefront of ushering in a new and exciting wave of innovation in the MENA region and beyond.“ In November 2021, Qureos announced its partnership with DP World, a Dubai-based multinational logistics provider, to digitize the Tumoohi program, an initiative to support the Emirati society and contribute to the UAE government’s efforts to enable Emirati youth. “I am excited to see Alex and Usama, Swvl alumni, and the rest of the founding team raise a highly successful and oversubscribed round and launch in multiple markets. From Swvl’s reliable and affordable transport to Qureos’ Learn to Earn model, the common mission is enhancing access to work and education opportunities and empowering livelihoods. I am also encouraged to see Victoria, the CEO of Queen’s Gambit Growth Capital, the SPAC Swvl is combing with, continue to invest in global players emerging out of the Middle East to scale internationally and access global pools of capital” said Youssef Salem, CFO of Swvl and Member of Board of Advisors of Qureos. Qureos plans to use this investment to build product-led operations and expand its remote-first team with a focus on hiring talent for their offices in the UAE, Pakistan and India. Its diverse team comes from 11 cities and 10 nationalities with experiences at Swvl, Cisco, Careem, EY, Daraz, HSBC and Aleph. About Qureos Qureos is a ‘learn to earn’ marketplace that makes it easy for emerging talent to learn in-demand skills from world-class industry experts through cohort-based learning paths led by world-class industry experts that match the hiring demand from Qureos’ business partners. About Investors COTU Ventures is a Dubai-based leading seed stage venture firm in the Middle East who partners with incredible founders at the beginning of their journey and accelerating their path to product-market fit and ensuring that they get access to the right capital and expertise. Colle Capital Partners is a global, opportunistic, early stage technology venture fund, based out of New York and founded by Victoria Grace who is also the founder of Queen’s Gambit Growth Capital which is leading the SPAC IPO of Swvl. Dubai Angel Investors is member-led Micro-VC made up of more than 100 like-minded angel investors and are passionate about entrepreneurs that have taken their ideas from concept to customer traction to scale with drive, energy, determination and ambition. Globivest, is a Beirut-based private investment firm with a primary focus on innovative and scalable early stage start-ups. Investments range across a spectrum of sectors and asset classes mainly in Europe and the USA. Plutus21 Capital, is a US-based multi-strategy investment firm focused on blockchain infrastructure investments. AlZayani Venture Capital, a portfolio company of AlZayani Investments and is focused on investing in innovative start-ups and disruptive technologies. Currently, it has investments in various companies in sectors such as Fintech, Retail, Food & Beverages, Tourism and EdTech. Contact Details Qureos Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodtrategy.com Company Website https://www.qureos.com/

April 06, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image
1 ... 8990919293 ... 156