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Graphic novel tackles disinformation around COVID-19 Vaccine and critical 5G infrastructure

Stockwood Strategy

Sophisticated social media campaigns sponsored by bad state actors are responsible for creating and spreading disinformation around the critical Covid-19 Vaccine and emerging infrastructure such as 5G technology for communications. Erly Stage Studios has today published Bug Bytes, the digital graphic novel, which sheds a light on the disruptive forces at work. This book is the second installment of the graphic novels that are a part of the Resilience Series commissioned by the US Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Bug Bytes will inform and educate people on the dangers and risks associated with dis- and mis- information through fictional stories inspired by real-world events. In Bug Bytes, readers will meet the protagonist Ava Williams, a journalist and academic, patriot and member of Symous - a group fighting disinformation and foreign interference in elections as polling day approaches. Ava’s life gets tangled up in a web of lies as her father, a 5G technician gets hurt and she works to understand what a seemingly innocent poll online related to 5G technology has to do with the 5G Vaccine? Ava is surprised by the reaction of the anti-vaccination community at what is proven to be engineered data and has the unenviable task of making the case to the public at large for how they can be weary on data online with unproven provenance. Farid Haque, founder and CEO of Erly Stage Studios commented: “We’re delighted to have been commissioned by CISA to create a practical and engaging communication tool that highlights the existential threat of disinformation in the context of bad state actors. While the story is fictional many of the approaches shown are very much grounded in the reality of the technology we live with and are exposed to almost daily.” Bug Bytes provides a unique education for the reader about the world of social media and how digital resources can be hijacked to serve a more nefarious agenda. The ability for foreign bad state actors to weld this kind of influence on another nation is unprecedented as is their ability to twist and manipulate a narrative to use domestic groups to do their bidding. The work helps the reader understand the need to exercise care when it comes to consuming news and information via social media platforms and online sources of information. In the story, Ava Williams and a team of patriots are racing against the clock to shine a spotlight on the source of disinformation engineered to hurt critical communication infrastructure and damage the Vaccine roll-out efforts. Ava’s investigative journalism leads her through the metaverse to find allies and discovers through hard graft that foreign actors are tinkering with public data to maliciously mislead and influence perceptions of 5G as a communications technology and its fabricated link to vaccine effectiveness. “Bug Bytes is the culmination of the wealth of experience that Clint Watts brings in cyber warfare and disinformation and our studio’s creative direction and storytelling style. We spent months researching the real life incidents and then wrapped them into a fictional story” added Farid Haque. The graphic novel is being made available by CISA to the general public online as a free resource as the Covid19 vaccine roll out continues to have an impact across the United States and the world at large. The work is available for free for the public and media to read at the following URL: https://www.cisa.gov/cfi-resilience-series-graphic-novels. A first title in the series was released a few months earlier last year ahead of the US elections titled Real Fakes. Watch this space and log back into https://publishing.erlystagestudios.com/ to learn more. Contributing artists to Bug Bytes include: Jose Niño Galenzoga, Patricia Beja, Mona Shan and Joel Santiago. Lettering and layouts by Komal N. and Haroon M. Story by Clint Watts and Farid Haque, supported by the script writing team which includes Michael Gianfrancesco and Kabir Sabharwal. Edited by Tolly M. and Laila Khan. Special thanks to Randall Heather and Max Brooks. Erly Stage Studios is an indie publisher, headquartered out of London, United Kingdom, capturing iconic stories in serious graphic novels. We are an expert team of educators, storytellers, and artists working to create awareness about important topics using the graphic novel medium. The team loves shining a spotlight on stories that are yet to see the light of graphic novels. As an expert team of teachers, researchers and designers the team works with innovative organisations and policymakers around the world to deliver soft power through engaging and creative projects. Contact Details Erly Stage Studios Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://publishing.erlystagestudios.com/

May 06, 2021 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NEST joins executives from Ross Stores, Ascena Retail Group, Boot Barn, and Lush to discuss “What’s Next” in Retail Operations on May 11-12

NEST

NEST, the leading integrated facilities management company, will host a two-day webinar series with national retail executives on Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12. The three 1-hour segments will dive into the future of retail operations following the pandemic. Select attendees will be chosen to nominate charities that will receive monetary donations from NEST Nurtures. Attendees can sign up for the “What’s Next” webinar via NEST’s website. Schedule to include: Session 1 on Tuesday, May 11 at 2 p.m. ET – “How is Post Pandemic Operations Really Different from Business-as-Usual?” Featured speakers: Russell Arbuthnot, Retail Maintenance Coordinator, Lush Josh Witte, Director, Store Operations, Brand Maintenance and Repair, Ross Stores Moderated by Kara Cutino, Vice President, Store Development, Facilities Services, Asset Protection & Store Purchasing, Ascena Retail Group, Inc. Session 2 on Wednesday, May 12 at 11 a.m. ET – “You Heard It from the Experts.” Featured speakers: Stacy Brown, Vice President of Customer Success, SiteCompli CJ Jernigan, Chief Revenue Officer, BFC Solutions Rob Almond, CEO, NEST Moderated by Alana F. Dunoff, ProFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow, Consultant/Instructor, AFD Professional Services, LLC Adjunct Professor, Temple University Session 3 on Wednesday, May 12 at 1 p.m. ET – “Operational Success Goes to New Heights” Randy Rokosz, Boot Barn’s Director of Procurement Rob Almond, CEO, NEST Since the pandemic hit the U.S. and Canada, NEST has played an important role to keep retailers’ doors open and maintain consumer confidence. From implementing new janitorial procedures to decreasing facility management expenses through an integrated approach, NEST is developing industry-leading facility management strategies for more than 40 retail clients. NEST manages approximately 60,000 individual retail locations in North America. NEST is the pioneer of the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) industry in the United States and Canada since 1994. NEST’s Integrated Facilities Management solution pairs financial acumen and business analytics with a strategic consultative approach. Real-time data, reporting, and analytics technology empower business leaders and facility management teams with the informed insights that enable them to make smarter decisions. To learn more about NEST, visit enterNEST.com or follow NEST on LinkedIn. Contact Details Eric PR & Marketing, LLC Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.enternest.com/

May 05, 2021 11:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time

PCMA Announces the Launch of its Financial Institutions Unit, a Comprehensive Partnership Program for the Professional Services Community

PCMA

PCMA, the pioneer and category leader in Non-Bank Private Client Lending today announced the launch of the Strategic Partners Initiative; serving Wealth Advisors, Property Advisors, Estate Advisors and Mortgage Advisors. With the launch of their “Even Pros Need Pros” campaign, the newly formed unit will partner with category specialists that service the private client community. These strategically aligned relationships will help partners extend the value of their services, grow their business, and meet the complex needs of their accomplished clientele. “Our dedication to high-capacity lending affords us unique insight into the needs of the private client community and the advisors who serve them” said John R. Lynch, CEO and Founder of PCMA, Private Client Lending. ” Through this new unit, we partner with category specialists who want to grow their practice and deliver great outcomes for their clients. A few notable benefits for the Financial Services Community when partnering with PCMA: EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS: Compliment your private client practice with a team of experienced professionals who are intimately familiar with high value markets and real estate investment holdings. PORTFOLIO UNDERWRITING: PCMA caters exclusively to experienced and sophisticated estates. Our product catalogue is designed for situational underwriting, expanded guidelines, and specialized features to accommodate High Income Professionals, Business Owners, Investors and Asset Rich Retirees. FIXED RATE JUMBO & SUPER JUMBO MORTGAGE: Jumbo and Super Jumbo Loans offer the flexibility of borrowing with less restrictions. They can be used to finance primary residences, second or vacation homes, and investment properties. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FINANCING: Real estate has been one of the best ways to accumulate wealth and leverage is one of the greatest advantages used by real estate investors. PCMA supports this risk-taking spirit by providing liquidity and credit options based on a simple, innovative business purpose and the quality of residential asset(s). WEALTH ADVISORS. Protecting AUM with Private Client Lending. PCMA helps keep investment strategies intact by offering a confidential and seamless referral to a certified private client lending expert and direct access to bespoke mortgage solutions, exclusively for Financial Advisors, Family Offices, and Asset Managers. PROPERTY ADVISORS. Opening Doors to your Private Clients. Whether your clients are looking to purchase a primary residence, vacation home or add to their real estate investment portfolio, a partnership with PCMA will increase your value of services, keep you agile in the market and is exclusively for Luxury Home Builders, High Value Property Advisors, and Portfolio Managers. ESTATE ADVISORS. Finally, a Relationship you can Trust. High-capacity estates rely on a team of skilled advisors to navigate the complexities of wealth. We’d like to help you further enhance your practice capabilities and client relationships. It is this client first mandate that has allowed us to become the nation’s top non-bank private client lender, exclusively for Trust Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, and Risk Managers. “ Our program not only continues to serve the needs of the Private Client community of which I am extremely passionate about, but it also expands the financial service capabilities of our partner advisors,” said Lynch. “By creating a seamless referral portal to our certified Private Client lending experts along with direct access to customized mortgage solutions, we deliver on the common goal of making a difference in the lives of their accomplished and experienced clientele.” PCMA is the leading Non-Bank Private Client lending organization serving the needs of their mass affluent and high net worth clientele. PCMA offers qualified individuals and institutions bespoke lending solutions across all major residential asset classes. PCMA is a diversified financial enterprise offering private client solutions through a direct to consumer and distributed retail business model. PCMA strives to build trusting and enduring relationships by putting clients and professional partners at the center of all they do. PCMA is headquartered in Orange County, CA. Additional information is available at www.pcma.us.com Contact Details Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 jason.jepson@pcma.us.com Company Website https://pcma.mortgage/

May 05, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING GROUP SOBEN EXPANDS INTO THE UNITED STATES

Soben

Soben, an award-winning international construction consultancy, announced today the expansion of its operations into the United States. The company’s new U.S. headquarters will be located in Chicago, IL with the newly hired North America CEO Joe Cusick leading a team of 11 consultants serving clients in the United States, Mexico, and Chile. Soben’s specialized construction solutions include cost management, project controls, and scheduling — all of which help industry-leading companies locate cost- and time-saving efficiencies whilst proactively managing and mitigating risk in their construction investments. “For the past ten years our construction consultancy solutions have been disrupting the market in the UK and Europe,” said Scott Smyth, Founder and CEO of Soben. “We’ve now seen strong demand for our services in North America, especially as the U.S. economy begins to reopen and infrastructure spending reaches historic levels. Joe has a deep understanding of commercial and industrial real estate, data centers, life sciences, infrastructure, and energy industries. We’re thrilled to have him at the helm of our expanding North American operation as we celebrate 10 years in business.” Soben’s 90-person UK team has previously completed high-profile projects with Glasgow Airport, London Heathrow Airport, and High Speed 2, a planned high-speed railway system in the United Kingdom, as well as with confidential clients on data center projects in the UK, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain. Soben’s new U.S. team plans to focus on developer clients in the mission critical, data center, infrastructure, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors. “I am very excited to join the Soben team in the Americas,” said Joe Cusick. “The opportunity to grow a business from the ground up and to create a construction consultancy focused on, and tailored for, the U.S. market made the decision an easy one to make. The determination, support, and enthusiasm from the rest of the Soben team have also been a key factor in me coming on board.” Soben’s expansion into the U.S. stemmed from the recent closing of a leading West Coast data center developer as an anchor client. Joe Cusick was previously a Director at Linesight, a professional services consultancy focused on the global construction industry, where he led the project controls delivery on a $2 billion data center program and was engaged on more than $8 billion in construction projects. Prior to Linesight, he held strategic roles at Currie & Brown and Faithful+Gould. About Soben Founded in 2011, Soben is a leading quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy. Its clients are blue chip national and international organizations who construct prestigious and complex projects across the high tech, mission critical, construction, civil engineering, rail, utility, and energy sectors. With offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Asia, and Australia, Soben delivers its services globally. To learn more visit www.sobencc.com. Contact Details Jon Amar +1 925-270-6511 jon@onwordstrategic.com Company Website https://www.sobencc.com/

May 04, 2021 10:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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