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HPL Cyber Survey Finds Enterprise Cybersecurity Purchases are Driven by The Vendor’s Reputation, Not Cost or Expertise

HPL Cyber

A new survey of more than 250 corporate IT professionals conducted in March 2021, conducted by YouGov on behalf of HPL Cyber, indicates that the growth of the cybersecurity industry has led to increased clutter among vendors vying for IT professionals’ attention and share-of-wallet. In fact, the research revealed almost 30% of respondents don’t know the name of their current cybersecurity provider, and 68% are overwhelmed by the sheer number of cybersecurity vendors. “The cyber market is awash in brands that sound the same and use indistinguishable sales and marketing strategies,” said Ted Birkhahn, President of HPL Cyber. “This presents a real challenge for IT professionals who are under increasing pressure to sift through the clutter to find the right partner and solutions that best protect them from ever-evolving threats.” The research found the number one factor when it comes to purchasing cyber security products was brand reputation (41%), which outweighs other factors including cost, expertise and even third-party referrals. Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents cite a lack of brand awareness as one of the biggest barriers when purchasing from cyber vendors. What’s more, when making cybersecurity purchasing decisions, 55% say that case studies, webinars and news articles are more effective than traditional fear-based marketing. When deciding to make a purchase, articles published in cyber, tech and business publications ranked first on the list of resources used (33%) followed by proof of concept. Factors near the bottom of the list when deciding to make a purchase included advertising and cold calling. The Cyber Buyer’s Conundrum Buyers are overwhelmed, underfunded and face intense pressure to protect their organization’s assets from evolving cyber threats. Most respondents are concerned about an imminent cyber attack (95%); additionally, more than half of respondents (52%) cite fear of data loss, followed by 37% indicating a loss of reputation. But only 16% claim they purchase cybersecurity solutions after an attack, noting that the cluttered marketplace, being wary of “ fast-talking salesmen selling snake oil ” and “ a lack of product effectiveness and lack of documentation,” as major impediments on the path to purchase. “Sales and marketing teams in the cyber industry require a fresh approach in how they target, message their ability to solve their customers’ cyber defense challenges -- especially in the wake of a cyber incident where vulnerability is high and time is of the essence,” said Charles Sirois of HPL Cyber. “Buyers are skeptical and they need support throughout the buying cycle to better assess the reputation of the vendor, the value proposition of the product, and the alignment of the proposed solution to the problems they are trying to solve.” Additional Survey Findings: The survey also asked buyers about what they perceive as their company’s most pressing cybersecurity gaps and weaknesses. Email attacks topped the list (30%) followed by outdated systems and insider threats. The field is crowded and while most buyers purchase directly from cyber vendors, others still use managed services providers or third-party consultants: 82% of respondents purchase cyber products directly from Cyber vendors all or some of the time and if companies do not purchase directly, half (50%) use managed service providers followed next by consultants and advisors (41%). More than half (55%) of respondents said business enablement marketing (thought leadership, case studies, etc.) is more effective than fear-based marketing, signaling that while fear can be used as an effective motivator, it should be more significantly balanced with smart, insightful thought leadership that educates, informs, and provides thoughtful solutions. If the pendulum swings too far to fear-based approaches, it will likely damage credibility and reputation of the cybersecurity brand. For more information on the Survey, please contact Ted Birkhahn at tedb@hotpaperlantern.com. Research Methodology The Hot Paper Lantern Cybersecurity Survey was conducted by the independent research arm within HPL Cyber, in collaboration with YouGov. The survey was conducted online, with a total sample size of 252 U.S. cybersecurity buyers. The survey was administered in March 2021. About HPL Cyber HPL Cyber is a specialty area within HPL focused on helping cybersecurity companies grow. We help brands break through and achieve greater relevance through a combination of deep expertise in the cybersecurity industry, a unique comprehension of buyers’ perceptions and purchasing behavior, and a marketing formula with proven success. Please visit our website for more information: https://www.hplcyber.com Contact Details HPL Cyber Matthew Panichas +1 212-931-6190 mpanichas@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.hplcyber.com/

May 18, 2021 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Centre for Neuro Skills Promotes Dr. Matthew Ashley to Chief Medical Officer

Centre for Neuro Skills

Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a premier provider of traumatic and acquired brain injury rehabilitation services, today announced the promotion of Dr. Matthew Ashley to Chief Medical Officer, overseeing all CNS medical staff. Dr. Ashley will be moving from CNS headquarters in Bakersfield to the new CNS clinic in Austin, Texas, in June. The 17,000 square ft. facility will serve as many as 60 patients and is located at 14425 Falconhead Blvd. "We are thrilled to announce this milestone promotion for Dr. Ashley, who is transitioning to a corporate leadership position overseeing medical departments across all CNS locations,” said David Harrington, President and COO of Centre for Neuro Skills. “His vision and strategic administration will provide uniformity of care across all seven CNS locations. He will continue to work closely with various partners, providers, payers and customers.” During Dr. Ashley’s seven-year tenure at CNS, he has served as a consulting neurologist. He treats a diverse spectrum of patients recovering from traumatic and acquired brain injury. An accomplished speaker, Dr. Ashley lectures at universities and seminars focusing on stroke, epilepsy, dementia, neuroradiology and brain injury rehabilitation. Dr. Ashley received both his medical and juris doctor degrees from Southern Illinois University. He completed a neurology residency at UCLA, as well as a neurological rehabilitation fellowship at the university’s renowned Neurological Rehabilitation and Research Unit. The new Austin location will be CNS’ fourth clinic in Texas, joining others in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. CNS also has three California clinics in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Bakersfield. All CNS clinics offer rehabilitation therapies through inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, residential rehabilitation and telehealth technology. "I look forward to my family’s move to Austin, getting to know our new community and my expanded role leading all medical teams across Centre of Neuro Skills’ clinics,” said Dr. Ashley. “The dedication to our patients combined with our continuum of care approach is more critical now than ever - to help those who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries, strokes and, more recently, Long-Haul COVID.” Facts about Brain Injury and Long-Haul COVID The Centre of Neuro Skills provides rehabilitation therapy to traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and Long-Haul COVID patients. These affect millions of Americans each year. Traumatic Brain Injury According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the US. Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI. These injuries result in: 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive 50,000 people die 80,000 to 90,000 people experience the onset of long-term disability As the cumulative result of past traumatic brain injuries, an estimated 5.3 million men, women and children are living with a permanent TBI-related disability in the US today. Stroke According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke each year. Someone in the US has a stroke every 40 seconds Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability Stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors aged 65 and over Strokes can occur at any age - in 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old Land-Haul COVID In a recent University of Washington study, 30% of Long-Haul COVID research participants reported worse health and quality of life, compared to how they felt before their infection. Additionally, 8% said they weren’t able to carry out daily chores. This included not being able to lift heavy objects or stand or walk unassisted for more than a short period of time. The proportion of participants reporting lingering symptoms increased with age. They affected about 27% of those 18 to 36 years old, 30% of those 37 to 64 and 43% of those 65 and older. About Centre for Neuro Skills Centre for Neuro Skills is an experienced and respected world leader in providing intensive rehabilitation and medical programs for those recovering from all types of brain injury. CNS covers a full spectrum of advanced care from residential and assisted living to outpatient/day treatment. Founded by Dr. Mark Ashley in 1980, CNS has seven locations in California and Texas. For more information about Center for Neuro Skills, visit: https://www.neuroskills.com/, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. For a video overview of CNS, visit: https://youtu.be/Jwqve9gWtEw Media please note: Visual assets, including photos, are available. To request an interview with Dr. Matthew Ashley, please contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or CNS@landispr.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 CNS@landispr.com Company Website https://www.neuroskills.com/

May 14, 2021 09:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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MISSOURI GOP LEGISLATOR URGED BY PHYSICIAN & PATIENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO ABANDON PLAN TO THWART PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER ACCOUNTABILITY

Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions

Today the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) released a letter sent on behalf of its membership to Eric Burlison, a Missouri State Senator requesting he abandon a plan to allow the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry continue its abusive practices and jeopardize patients. Following up on information that Senator Burlison is planning to filibuster legislation including HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403 this week, concerns in the medical and patient advocacy community are growing – and many are voicing major concerns. “If successful, Senator Burlison’s filibuster will eliminate accountability on the PBM industry and place upward pressure on prescription drug pricing,” stated Dr. Robert Levin, ATAP President. “For far too long, PBMs generated significant profits while patients struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. It is time that elected officials and policymakers see what is really happening in our exam rooms and our patient’s wallets due to PBM interference.” ATAP has been an active advocate for patients in a variety of federal and state battles to amplify the voices of patients and physicians. The letter to Senator Burlison states, in part: “…the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system… Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices…” “A light is finally shining on the previously hidden profit motives of the PBM industry. Patients, physicians, and policymakers in Missouri have the power to effect meaningful change if Senator Burlison allows this legislation to be considered fairly,” Dr. Levin continued. “More transparency is desperately needed in the PBM industry, and this legislation provides it. It is truly a mystery why any elected official would prevent such accountability and stand in the way of fair drug prices and patient access to care.” The full letter to Senator Burlison is below and posted here. The Honorable Eric Burlison 201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 221 Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 RE:MO HB 834 and SB 403 – Pharmacy Benefit Managers Reporting/Transparency Dear Senator Burlison: We are saddened and dismayed to learn of your recent stance regarding Missouri HB 834. We are painfully aware of a planned filibuster to MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. As you may be aware, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are third-party entities that are hired by insurers and health plan sponsors to manage and administer prescription drug benefit plans. We are very concerned about the role PBMs play regarding the alarming price increases in the total cost and out of pocket costs of prescription drugs for patients, resulting in the loss of patient access to affordable and life-saving medications. HB 834 will help remedy many of these practices by: Ensuring oversight of PBMs by the Dir. of the MO Dept of Commerce and Insurance; Allowing for penalties for violations of this statute; Providing for reporting of rebates received by PBMs, including – where the rebates are being applied, and reporting of yearly aggregated rebate dollar amounts received; and Providing for freedom of choice for patients to choose their pharmacy As you may know, the Trump administration proposed a rule through Health and Human Services (HHS), that would have eliminated the safe harbor that protects PBM rebates from the federal anti-kickback statute. This awesome proposal would have effectively eliminated the PBM rebate system. Regrettably, the new administration withdrew this essential patient protection. States can play a central role to ensure that patients are still protected from abusive PBM practices. We ask that you help ensure that our patients and your constituents have affordable access to the medications which they so desperately need, by supporting MO HB 834 and its companion bill SB 403. Sincerely, The Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) Member Organization ### ATAP continues to support efforts to force the PBM industry to disclose rebate data and encourage transparency and reporting requirements for all entities involved in the prescription drug supply chain – PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers. To schedule an interview with Dr. Levin or another ATAP spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357. Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com ATAP's mission is to address prescription drugs costs and patient access to affordable treatment by regulating PBM practices and reforming the drug industry through educational outreach and grassroots advocacy initiatives at both the state and federal level. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.atapadvocates.com

May 12, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Chia Launches its Green Digital Currency (XCH)

Chia Network

Highlights Eco-friendly chia (as “ XCH ”) commences its first transaction today with widespread digital exchange adoption expected in May Over the past 14 days, Chia Network has routinely been the largest and most decentralized blockchain by full node count - usually exceeding 100,000 full nodes Chia Network reinvents “mining” with energy efficient at-home “farming ” for everyone Chia + Chialisp are designed for secure “smart coin” transactions Chia Network Inc. (“Chia"), a new energy efficient decentralized blockchain created by Bram Cohen (the inventor of BitTorrent), today launches its revolutionary digital currency, chia. The green digital currency, chia (as “XCH”), is expected to gain widespread digital exchange listing, and rapid worldwide adoption in the financial, corporate, commercial, and governmental sectors. Founded in 2017 in the U.S. with a global workforce, Chia Network’s protocol seeks to become an alternative to traditional financial networks. It strives to provide a secure, energy-efficient network for modern finance and payments. Chia is green money XCH is Chia Network's native digital currency. Chia is created as a reward to chia “ farmers ” (the analogue to Bitcoin’s or Ethereum’s “miners”). The protocol uses an improved and simplified implementation of Bitcoin’s unspent transaction output (UTXO) model. These simplifications actually increase the flexibility and programmability of coins. Chia farming rewards 2 XCH per block for the first three years as the incentive mechanism that supports its new Nakamoto consensus. “The first chia transaction is an exciting milestone which furthers our long term mission to provide environmentally sustainable financial freedom. I am incredibly proud of our team and our reinvention of Bitcoin’s approach to the ‘everything is a coin’ model. We will continue to enhance the features of Chia and Chialisp in the areas of coloured coins, digital identity wallets, and NFT (non fungible token) support. This is just the beginning of our journey to become the core of a new financial architecture," shared Bram Cohen. Chia + Chialisp = secure “smart coin” transactions Chialisp is Chia Network’s smart coin language based on the functional language Lisp. Everything on the chia blockchain is a coin. Smart coins deliver smart contract and smart transaction capabilities in one package. Chilalisp has been designed for security and simplicity, while allowing for powerful and broad functionality. Applications running on Chia Network’s blockchain are intended to have functionality appropriate for banking, payments, asset issuance, global exchange, and other financial applications. Key feature sets of Chialisp include: Coloured coins Digital identity wallets Rate limited wallets Authorised payee wallets Multi-signature wallets Recoverable wallets Atomic swaps Chia Network’s blockchain will enable users to build and customize sophisticated custody and clearing arrangements. Chialisp will allow chia controls to match and exceed internal accounting controls and to safeguard funds from accidental loss, theft, or hacking with various risk tolerance levels in an easy to audit manner. Chia's Proof of Space & Time uses vastly less energy than Proof of Work In comparison with other blockchains, Chia greatly reduces energy consumption and environmental contamination while improving upon Nakamoto consensus. Chia’s blockchain replaces “Proof of Work”, which is the consensus protocol used by Bitcoin and Ethereum, with the first of its kind "Proof of Space and Time" consensus protocol that eliminates the unfairness, energy inefficiency, and centralization of Proof of Work. Instead of using power hungry specialized computing resources, Chia relies on storage space coupled with the added variable of time (via a “verifiable delay function”, or “VDF”) to ensure the integrity and security of the blockchain. A chia farmer will expend some CPU cycles to create "plots" on hard drives, but will then utilize the energy-efficient resource of drive space over the following years to participate in the consensus mechanism that verifies new blocks on the Chia blockchain. How to farm chia ("XCH") The goal of farming (verifying and ensuring the integrity of transactions on the Chia blockchain) is to utilize unused disk space to help validate financial transactions. Farming in the Chia network is a very lightweight process that leaves your computer free to do other things. To learn more about Chia’s blockchain, chia farming and the chia farming reward schedule, please watch the Company’s March 19th mainnet launch video and read Chia’s Business Whitepaper. For tips on how to plot and farm, please visit chiadecentral.com and review Chia plotting basics posted by Gene Hoffman, President of Chia Network. To get started, visit Chia Network GitHub to install the Company’s blockchain software. Chia offers broad OS support as well as a GUI for simple and easy wallet/farm management. The Company is committed to providing resources to enable simple and straightforward plotting and farming. About Chia Network Chia Network Inc. was founded by Bram Cohen, the inventor of BitTorrent. Chia Network is a state-of-the-art open-source decentralized blockchain, digital currency, and smart transaction platform. Using the first new secure Nakamoto consensus algorithm invented since Bitcoin, Chia aims to operate an eco-friendly, more secure and user-friendly payment system for cross border payments, issuing financial assets, lending, escrow payments, institutional custody, and distributed identity. Chia’s “Proof of Space and Time” based blockchain reduces waste in “Proof of Work” based blockchains. Built to run Chialisp, the company’s newly developed smart coin language, Chia’s blockchain allows its users to build and execute secure "smart coin" transactions. Chia believes that “digital money” should be easier to use than cash, harder to lose, and nearly impossible to steal. The Company is funded by leading venture capitalists including Slow Ventures, a16z, Naval Ravikant, Galaxy Digital, Greylock, True Ventures, MetaStable, Stillmark, DCM, and others. The Company’s Advisors include Dr. Dan Boneh, Research Partner at a16z and Applied Cryptography Professor at Stanford University; and Dr. Krzysztof Pietrzak, Cryptography Professor of IST Austria; and Ms. Katie Haun, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Investor Relations Contact: Gretchen Lium. For more information, chia.net and connect with us on Twitter ( @chia_project ), Facebook, GitHub, Reddit, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Chia Network Inc. Gretchen Lium +1 303-638-9185 gretchen@chia.net Company Website https://www.chia.net/

May 03, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Challenger brand MOJO enters skincare market as it redefines hair care category

MOJO Skin and Haircare

MOJO Skin & Haircare, a popular British private challenger brand in the men’s hair care category within the mass market retailers, has entered the skincare category and launched two new premium skincare products. The MOJO Anti-Ageing Moisturiser (vegan friendly) and MOJO Exfoliating Face Scrub, both are available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. MOJO Anti-Ageing Moisturiser 75ml £10 Great looking skin starts with the right products and having a good skincare routine. MOJO’s Anti-Ageing Moisturiser will soothe, hydrate and protect your skin from the elements and stresses of daily life. The luxury moisturiser is enriched with premium anti-ageing actives including UV filters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Collagen, Jojaba Oil and Pro-Vitamin B 5. The non – oily formulation absorbs easily into the skin and will hydrate, soften and energise the skin by boosting the elasticity of the skin - reducing the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles - leaving it firm, smooth and healthy. It also features our luxurious light signature scent. MOJO Exfoliating Face Scrub 75ml £10 Men’s skin is tougher and oilier than women’s so to get and maintain a great looking face and complexion it needs to exfoliate with the right products. The luxury Exfoliating Face Scrub will help smooth, cleanse & revitalise the overall tone & appearance of the face. Infused with Icelandic volcanic sand and activated charcoal that cleanses clogged pores whilst removing dirt, dead skin cells & oil from the surface of your skin that can cause block pores and lead to breakouts. MOJO Skin & Hair care products are available in Sainsbury’s & Waitrose stores in the UK and available in over 3,000 stores across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The brand will be launching across the US and India later this year. Paul Adrian, founder and CEO of MOJO Skin & Haircare commented: “Our skincare launch is a natural evolution of the brand. The premium product formulations have delivered real results for men around the world, and we are optimistic they we will achieve great looking skin. The retro twist design of the premium packaging means men will be proud to park the range on their bathroom shelf. We’re delighted with the Sainsbury’s distribution partnership and extending the number of products listed with Sainsbury’s and see it as a strong vote of confidence in delivering high performance, affordable, premium skin care products to their customers.” With this launch, MOJO will have 4 pro salon hair products and 2 skincare products on sale in shops around the world. All products specifically cater to grooming, styling & men’s skincare needs and feature the MOJO signature fragrance. MOJO set out to disrupt the men’s grooming industry by bringing a high quality yet affordable premium range of products to men around the world. In blending science and beauty, MOJO fuses high performance formulations with a luxurious fragrance to deliver outstanding products at an affordable price. About MOJO Skin and Haircare MOJO is a premium men’s skincare, grooming and styling range which fuses high performance formulations with our unique luxury fragrance. Packaged in premium black and gold jars that feature an eye-catching retro twist design, the range delivers real “wow” factor at POS. Made in the UK the brand offers premium aspirational products at an affordable price. Products are sold in over 3,000 stores across the world including the UK, Australia & New Zealand The MOJO range consists of four hero pro-salon hair styling products Styling Cream, Defining Paste, Classic Pomade and Molding Clay. MOJO has launched 2 new premium skincare products, an Anti-Ageing Moisturiser (vegan friendly) and Exfoliating Face Scrub, both are available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide. Andrew Gerrie, Co-founder of LUSH was an early investor in the company. MOJO won the ECRM Buyers Choice Award 2020 and the Great British Design Award in New York and featured in the government’s UK Trade & Industry global programme. Contact Details MOJO Skin & Haircare Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://mojo-style.com/

April 15, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Utah Launches Pioneering Pilot on Mobile Driver’s License

GET Group North America

Waltham and Boston, Massachusetts, Salt Lake City, Utah (March 30, 2021 ) – The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) has launched a mobile driver license (mDL) pilot for offering driver’s licenses and ID cards on mobile phones. The pilot will demonstrate improvement in citizen privacy and security, while highlighting the convenience and safety of tap and go transactions. It will use a fully ISO 18013-5-compliant mobile app, following the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) mDL Implementation Guidelines. The new mDLs are a secure, contactless digital form of ID that give citizens control of their identity data. They choose the personal information they share with businesses. The pilot will build public acceptance of mDL in real-world scenarios such as banking, travel, traffic stops, and restaurant and liquor store transactions that require age verification. Building an open ecosystem during the pilot where mDLs are accepted at many businesses will pave the way for making mDLs viable for all of Utah’s more than two million licensed drivers. Utahns may be able to leave their wallet at home soon. Unlike other pilots, Utah will fully utilize the ISO 18013-5 standard for mDL, which provides the benefit of cryptographic proof of identity that prevents forgery and cannot be achieved by simply showing your phone screen to a clerk at a business. “Our Driver License Division is committed to working with residents and stakeholders to implement a solution which provides the highest value to Utahns: one which is accepted anywhere and provides enhanced privacy, security and personal control,” said Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess L. Anderson. “Utahns’ privacy is of the utmost importance to us and the mDL gives them control over their data. They choose what information to share when their identification is requested.” For mDL, Utah DLD has tapped GET Group North America and its technology partner, Scytáles, to provide GET Mobile ID, an ISO 18013-5-compliant application that puts an official driver’s license or ID Card on a citizen’s smartphone. The Contactless ID document can be verified with a tap or scan and is accepted worldwide using any ISO 18013-5-compliant reader, such as GET Mobile Verify. The GET/Scytáles mDL technology was the first to pass the formal conformity assessment testing, meant to ensure compliance to the stringent standards that allow for global acceptance. “Utah DLD has incredible foresight and timing to lead the world with standardized mDLs. We are proud to support Utah DLD as they begin launching a full-scale mDL program,” said Alex Kambanis, President and Managing Director of GET Group North America. “COVID has accelerated the importance of Contactless ID for both citizens and the businesses that accept ID. Utah DLD is providing Utah residents a huge benefit with financial, security and health-related impacts." “Utahns will now lead the country in having the benefit of a completely secure, privacy-centered, standardized form of mobile ID. Our team looks forward to supporting Utah in its pioneering role in implementing the very first fully ISO-compliant mDL,” said Geoff Slagle, President & Chief Business Development Officer at Scytáles, Inc. The pilot will begin with approximately 100 select participants and expand to 10,000 participants including the broader public during 2021. Utah businesses can participate in the pilot to accept mDLs now and prepare for when mDL is available to all Utahns. About GET Group North America GET Group North America and its partners develop, manufacture, and implement end-to-end solutions for secure physical and mobile credentials that enable government agencies, motor vehicle departments, municipalities law enforcement organizations, and other entities to leverage the latest in secure identity management technologies. From photo ID cards, driver’s licenses and passports, to mDLs and mIDs, GET Group NA delivers advanced issuance, verification and personalization capabilities that prevent identification fraud, accommodate diversified customer needs, and support the future of ID use cases. About Scytáles Scytáles is breaking new ground by developing and offering ISO-compliant Mobile Driver Licenses, Mobile IDs and derived Mobile IDs as a complement to Security Printed Documents, and Validation mechanisms in realtime in online and offline modes. The company participates as experts in Mobile Identity through the standardization body (SIS) and participates on the Task Force 14 on Mobile Driving Licences within ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17/WG10. Scytáles is also providing a Credential Service Provider (CSP), an ICAO 9303/PKD PKI, supporting multiple Mobile DLs/IDs and online identity validation providers. Scytáles lays the foundation for a comprehensive lineup of online digital services, serving billions of users, as well as enabling high-security printed documents and banknotes to go digital and mobile. Contact Details SVM Public Relations Jordan Bouclin +1 401-490-9700 jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com Scytales Anna Seddigh +46 70 988 60 48 aseddigh@scytales.com Company Website https://getgroupna.com/

March 30, 2021 12:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment Webinar: The post-COVID world offers new models of economic justice and empowerment for women

Media Outreach

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 22 March 2021 - Organized by Taiwan’s Foundation for Women's Rights Promotion and Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in New York, the Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment Webinar, which was held on 18 March, focused on policies and programs to help women achieve equality in the post-pandemic future. Speakers of the Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment Webinar. “Women are bearing the brunt of the COIVD-19 crisis,” said Denise Scotto, vice president of the International Federation of Women in Legal Careers, as she opened on Accelerating Women’s Economic Empowerment Webinar. However, the new models of working from home, and greater access to technology and the internet may point to how the gender divide can be bridged. This was the message conveyed by speakers at the Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment webinar, which took place parallel to the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women and during Women’s History Month celebrations. Headlining the event, Taiwan’s digital minister Audrey Tang discussed how to make the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality work in Taiwan. Tang pointed out that Taiwan is the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, equal pay day has come down to February 20, and over 41% of legislators in Taiwan’s parliament are women. Taiwan’s first transgender minister also testified that she had never suffered discrimination in her job. However, there are still areas where Taiwan has much to do. “Less than a quarter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students in tertiary education are women,” said Tang. Taiwan’s achievements in controlling the pandemic have been well documented. But one aspect that has not been widely reported is the gendered aspect to disease control. Tang highlighted the example of a Taiwanese boy who was teased for coming to school with a pink mask when medical supplies were being rationed. The boy called the government hotline to complain, and the next day the health minister and his top officials all wore pink masks during the daily press briefing. Tang said, “The health minister said it was fine for a boy to wear pink, and added that his favorite cartoon character was the Pink Panther.” Technological advances are also helping level the playing field for young women, said Tang, sharing one initiative against plastic straws started by a 16-year-old Taiwanese woman. “She didn’t have to wait until she was 18 or join a political party,” said the digital minister, adding, “more and more young women and men are looking into e-participation and co-creation across sectors to create their own initiatives.” The Swedish minister for gender equality’s state secretary Karin Strandås focused on applying a gender perspective to government policies and budgeting. “We must also focus on the role of men and boys as drivers for change,” said Strandås, “Men and boys in all their diversity must be part of transforming gender norms and inequality.” Responding to the pandemic, Strandås said, “It is about building a better world and a better future for everyone.” Although it is possible for men to take as much parental leave as women, Sweden has yet to achieve full equality in the workplace. “Reforms are necessary for women to enter the labor markets,” said Strandås. Strandås noted the link between economic inequality and domestic violence. “It is harder to leave a violent relationship if you are dependent on your partner,” the state secretary said. Taiwan’s ambassador at large Lin Ching-Yi spoke about the role of women in law making. “The more female participation there is in politics, the more gender-based policy making there will be,” said Lin. Talking about the danger women face on the frontline of the pandemic as nurses and cleaners, Lin said she was initially worried for their safety. Thankfully, Taiwan’s success in pandemic control has largely been down to gendered policy making. “All policies are based on gender equality,” said Lin, “so only ten nurses have been infected with COVID-19 in Taiwan.” Other speakers shared their experiences in advancing women’s economic rights and independence, investing in women’s empowerment, and supporting marginalized women to earn, save money, and improve their health and wellbeing. Algene Sajery, vice president of the Office of External Affairs at the US International Development Finance Corporation, outlined the Women’s Initiative which has catalyzed more than US$7 billion of investment in projects that are owned by women, led by women, or provide a product or service that empowers women. Iliriana Gashi, executive director of Kosova Women 4 Women, talked about her organization’s efforts to finance women economically affected by the pandemic, working together with the government and international corporations to help women running small businesses. Giving rights and more economic power to women is good for men too. “We are one human family, both men and women,” said Scotto, “so all of humanity is empowered by empowering women.” Concluding the session, Lin said after the pandemic, global society will face new norms. There will be an opportunity to build different economic models through the internet or community models, and create new ways for women to participate equally. Contact Details Taiwan’s Foundation of Women’s Rights Promotion and Development Helen Lee +852 3996 9731 helen.lee@wrp.org.tw Company Website https://www.media-outreach.com/

March 22, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS & PATIENT ADVOCATES APPLAUD U.S. SENATE BILL TO STUDY ROLE OF PBM INDUSTRY

Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions

A new Bill introduced in the United States Senate on February 8, 2021 to study the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry is moving forward with a referral to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration. The proposal, S. 298 is being met with optimism by medical professionals and patient advocates from the Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions (ATAP) with direct experience with these “middlemen” that place upward pressure on prescription drug pricing. The Senate Bill introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) and cosponsored by Senator Mike Braun (IN) will “…require the Government Accountability Office to study the role pharmaceutical benefit managers play in the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide Congress with appropriate policy recommendations, and for other purposes…” “Anything that shines a light on the PBM industry is a wonderful first step,” stated ATAP’s President Dr. Robert Levin. “For far too long, PBMs generated significant profits while patients struggle to afford the cost of prescription drugs. It is time that elected officials and policy makers see what it really happening in our exam rooms, and our patient’s wallets, due to PBM interference. ATAP has been an active advocate for patients in a variety of federal and state battles to amplify the voices of patients and physicians. “Surely if this Bill passes, the study will show what we see every day. Patients are suffering under the current system that allows PBMs to put obstacles between patients and the medicine they need,” stated Dr. Michael Schweitz of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, and ATAP member organization. “Now that light is shining on the previously hidden profit motives of the PBM industry, patients, physicians, and policy makers will have the power to effect meaningful change.” In addition to legislative efforts, ATAP filed an Amicus Brief with the United States Supreme Court that argued in part that PBMs are engaged in abusive practices with serious practical and policy consequences – including upward pressure on prescription drug pricing. The case, Rutledge vs Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) resulted in a unanimous 8-0 decision where Justices agreed that states have the rights to impose regulations on PBMs. Dr. Angus Worthing of the American College of Rheumatology, an ATAP member organization stated, “The United States Senate, the Supreme Court, and state legislators across the country are realizing on a bipartisan basis how the hidden profit motives of the PBM industry are harming patients. More transparency is desperately needed, and the latest Senate proposal will provide it.” ATAP continues to support efforts to force the PBM industry to disclose rebate data and encourage transparency and reporting requirements for all entities involved in the prescription drug supply chain – PBMs, insurers, and manufacturers. ### To schedule an interview with Dr. Levin or another ATAP spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357. Please visit http://www.atapadvocates.com ATAP's mission is to address prescription drugs costs and patient access to affordable treatment by regulating PBM practices and reforming the drug industry through educational outreach and grassroots advocacy initiatives at both the state and federal level. Contact Details Alliance for Transparent and Affordable Prescriptions Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website http://www.atapadvocates.com

February 23, 2021 05:10 PM Eastern Standard Time

SUPER73® Raises $20 Million in Funding From Volition Capital

SUPER73

SUPER73®, an American electric vehicle brand, based out of Orange County, California, announced today the close of a $20-million investment from Volition Capital, a Boston-based growth equity firm. Founded in 2016 by LeGrand Crewse, Michael Cannavo, and Aaron P. Wong, SUPER73® produces two-wheeled electric vehicles with a mission to fuse motorcycle heritage and youth culture. It has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands in the world, with a loyal and passionate customer base, which includes many A-list celebrities and professional athletes. “We have always known that there was something special at SUPER73. It wasn’t just about creating a fun electric bike, it was about building a gateway to unlimited adventure and cultivating a true community. Volition Capital not only saw that same vision but believed in it. Together, we now have a real opportunity to take SUPER73 to the next level and help redefine the electric vehicle industry.” – Legrand Crewse, CEO of SUPER73. After an impressive launch on Kickstarter, SUPER73 saw fast-paced growth, not only because its handsome, minimalistic e-bikes looked like nothing else at the time, but also because the company bucked the norms of the traditional electric bicycle industry. SUPER73 refused to become one of the many stale e-bike companies that exist solely to produce mass-market vehicles, and instead became a content-driven lifestyle brand that inspires adventure and creates community. The company’s desire to be different is key to its success. In 2017, SUPER73 went viral after redesigning its first-generation e-bike to resemble a pair of Star Wars speeder bikes. These were ridden in costume through downtown Manhattan; the video has subsequently been viewed more than 10 million times on YouTube. SUPER73 continued to produce noteworthy hits including an appearance at New York Fashion Week, an international art exhibition with contemporary artist Tom Sachs, and a custom-built, 24-karat gold e-bike for Post Malone. As the company continued to produce remarkable viral content, its popularity snowballed, and soon SUPER73 attracted the attention of big-name celebrities, athletes, and performers including Jack Black, Will Smith, and Madonna. What’s more, the brand earned their support without paid promotion or endorsement. Many more celebrity riders followed, including: Anderson Silva Andrew Schultz Andy Milonakis Avril Lavigne Brett Conti Cam Newton Cara Delevigne Casey Neistat Chris Lake Colin Hanks Conan O'Brien David Dobrik Dennis Rodman Devin Funchess Diplo Ed Bassmaster Flosstradamus Grayson Dolan Greg Finley Hayes Grier iJustine Jack Black Jaime Foxx Jared Goff Jason Snell Jenna Dewan Tatum Jesse Wellens Joel McHale Justin Bieber Kade Kelly Ripa Kelly Slater Kevin Pouya Klay Thompson Lil Nas X Logan Paul Lukas Podolski Madonna Matt & Kim Matt James Meek Mill Mitchell Whitfield Neymar Nina Dobrev Paris Hilton Phil Wickham Philip Defranco Post Malone Rahul Kohli Reggie Watts Robbie Madison Robert Pattison Ryan Reynolds Ryan Seacrest Sam Sheffer Scott Eastwood Shaun White Slander Snoop Dogg Sofitukker Solomon Berg Suki Waterhouse Swae Lee Todd Gurley Tyler the Creator Will Smith Yes Theory Zach Braff Today, there are tens of thousands of SUPER73 riders and enthusiasts across more than 20 countries. The brand’s moto-inspired culture has created a new generation of “bikers,” who not only self-organize into regional “SuperSquad®” rider clubs but have also embraced the custom modification subculture. All over the world, fans of SUPER73 share their custom creations on social media and have helped to grow the “SuperSquad” community faster than ever. Today, SUPER73 has more than 430,000 followers across its content channels. The brand continues to push the boundaries of innovation by frequently producing high-profile collaborations with unique partners including legendary French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, and famed motorcycle designer Roland Sands. Mold-breaking projects like these have gained SUPER73 coverage in major publications such as Time Magazine, ESPN, Rolling Stone, GQ, Car & Driver, Men’s Journal, Motor Trend, Hypebeast and many more. It’s been less than five years since SUPER73 came to life, but the company employs more than 75 people on two continents; in 2020 SUPER73 opened its first European headquarters in Amsterdam. And with the demand for SUPER73 e-bikes in Europe already outpacing the remarkable demand for its products in the U.S., there is no doubt this young company will see even more success with the support of Volition Capital and its $20-million growth investment. “Super73 has all the ingredients to become a great consumer brand – fanatical customers, insatiable demand for its products, and a distinctive design philosophy,” said Larry Cheng, Managing Partner, Volition Capital. “It is one of the fastest growing companies we’ve ever invested in, and are poised to build a great new American brand as it leads the e-bike market for years to come.” EDITOR’S NOTE Please enjoy and share the video presented by Joel McHale, which captures the fun, adventurous spirit of SUPER73. The video can be viewed and shared here: vimeo.com/507214778/5c3c68ed68 The video and high-resolution images are available for download here: dropbox.com/sh/f5z54y1stwqkdnt/AADvmzbZ-JBTBGYg6q_Q5om-a?dl=0 ABOUT SUPER73® SUPER73® is an American lifestyle adventure brand based in Orange County, CA that develops products to help fuse motorcycle heritage with youth culture. Founded in 2016, SUPER73 has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands in the world with a passionate customer base including A-list celebrities, professional athletes, and many more. For more information, visit super73.com or on social media @super73. ABOUT VOLITION CAPITAL Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm that principally invests in high-growth, founder-owned companies across the software, Internet, and consumer sectors. Founded in 2010, Volition has more than $1.1 billion in assets under management and has invested in more than 30 companies in the United States and Canada. The firm selectively partners with founders to help them achieve their fullest aspirations for their businesses. For more information, visit volitioncapital.com or follow us on Twitter @volitioncapital. Contact Details Christiana Mullen, Marketing Coordinator +1 714-659-4883 christiana@super73.com Michael Cannavo, SUPER73 founder michael@super73.com Company Website https://super73.com

February 17, 2021 07:50 AM Eastern Standard Time

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