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Midea Expands Partnership with Manchester City & City Football Group

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 28 January 2021 - Midea, one of the world's leading home appliance producers, has announced its global partnership expansion with City Football Group. (L to R) Brando Brandstaeter, Head of Brands & Communications, Midea Group's International Business Division with Stephan Cieplik, SVP of Global Partnerships, City Football Group at the signing of the partnership expansion in Shanghai in December 2020. Midea's relationship with City Football Group started in January 2020 when it became an Official Partner of Manchester City, and after a highly successful first year of partnership, the decision was made to expand the relationship by adding the Manchester City Women's team and New York City FC. The highlight of the 2020 partnership has been the #MideaHomeChallenge -- a six-week campaign where players, coaches, legends and fans took part in a series of challenges and trick-shots using their household appliances. The social media campaign, which generated millions of engagements, was a creative solution to engage and inspire football fans all around the world who were stuck at home during lockdown. Midea will continue to produce global, regional and localised digital campaigns with Manchester City's men's and women's players, as well as branding appearing across the Etihad Stadium and the Club's online platforms. Stephan Cieplik, SVP of Global Partnerships at City Football Group, said: "Our partnership with Midea has been extremely successful since we launched in January 2020. The Midea Home Challenge has been one of our most popular content campaigns which not only created high levels of digital engagement but provided fans around the world with fun challenges to help keep them entertained whilst at home. Midea is a brand whose values and ambitions align with Manchester City and we are delighted that we are now expanding this partnership to include further teams within the City Football Group family." Brando Brandstaeter, Head of Brands & Communications at Midea Group's International Business Division, commented: "We were thrilled to announce our partnership with Manchester City at the start of 2020. In light of the pandemic, we mobilised our teams to create the #MideaHomeChallenge, which helped kick-off the partnership in an unexpected but even more engaging way. The cooperation with Manchester City during these challenging times has given us the confidence to expand and strengthen our relationship with the City Football Group by adding Manchester City Women's and New York City FC and Mumbai City to our roster -- something I am very much looking forward to bring to life for Midea in 2021." About Manchester City Football Club Manchester City FC is an English Premier League club initially founded in 1880 as St Mark's West Gorton. It officially became Manchester City FC in 1894 and has since then gone onto win the European Cup Winners' Cup, six League Championship titles, including four Premier League titles (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019), and six FA Cups. Manchester City FC is one of eleven clubs comprising the City Football Group and counts New York City FC and Melbourne City FC among its sister clubs. Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world football, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium, a spectacular 55,000 seat arena that City have called home since 2003. Today, the Stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus, which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art performance training and youth development facility located in the heart of East Manchester. Featuring a 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, the City Football Academy is also where Manchester City Women's Football Club and the Elite Development Squad train on a daily basis and play their competitive home games. About Midea & Midea Group Midea is one of over 10 brands within the home appliance business of Midea Group -- a leading global high-technology company ranked #307 at 2020's Global Fortune 500. Midea Group's business goes beyond home appliances and comprises business pillars like HVAC, robotics and automation, smart home and IoT, as well as smart logistics and components. All businesses of Midea Group are striving for one credo: #HumanizingTechnology. Midea Home Appliances brand offers one of the world's most comprehensive product ranges in the home appliance industry, specializing in air-treatment (commercial and residential air conditioning solutions), refrigeration, laundry, large kitchen and cooking appliances, small kitchen appliances, water appliances, floor care and lighting. Midea believes in providing 'surprisingly friendly' solutions by adopting a consumer-centric and problem-solving approach. Going above and beyond for the future, constantly exploring, and inventing to meet the ever-changing demand of our consumers -- enabling them to "make yourself at home", which also is the brand's slogan. Midea is, among many others, the world's #1 Air Treatment Brand [1], the world's #1 Small Cooking Appliances Brand [2] and the world's #1 Rice Cookers Brand[3]. Midea's globally 34 production centers and over 150,000 employees in more than 200 countries and regions generated an annual revenue of more than USD 40.5 billion in 2019. Midea's 28 worldwide innovation centers and the strong commitment to R&D have resulted in more than 50,000 authorized patents to-date. https://www.midea-group.com/Our-Businesses/home-appliances/midea https://www.midea-group.com/newsRoom/News/MIDEA-EXPANDS-PARTNERSHIP-WITH-MANCHESTER-CITY---CITY-FOOTBALL-GROUP https://www.midea-group.com/newsRoom/News/HOME-APPLIANCE-GIANT-MIDEA--INKS-GLOBAL-PARTNERSHIP--WITH-MUMBAI-CITY-FOOTBALL-CLUB/ [1]"Midea -- World's No.1 Air Treatment Brand" Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data. [2]"Midea -- World's No.1 Small Cooking Appliances Brand" Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Appliances 20ed retail volume sales in units, 2019 data. [3]"Midea -- World's No.1 Rice Cookers Brand" Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Appliances 20ed retail volume sales in units, 2019 data. Contact Details Midea Group – International Business Division Brando Brandstaeter +852 2963 5650 Brando.Brandstaeter@Midea.com Company Website https://www.media-outreach.com/

January 28, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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LineSwings launches to help gamblers analyze betting opportunities during games

LineSwings

On the heels of legalized sports betting becoming a reality on mobile devices in 12 states plus Washington D.C., LineSwings launches as an innovative startup to help bettors analyze lines during games. LineSwings offers exclusive data and graphs of the live lines and money lines throughout NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA men’s basketball games. As a Philadelphia-based company, the new service is now available nationwide as a free service at LineSwings.com and via their iOS app in the App Store. An app for Android devices is in development. “Live in-game betting is one of the fastest growing types of gambling,” said Patrick Dougherty, Managing Partner of LineSwings. “The information we offer at LineSwings can’t be found via the sportsbooks. LineSwings.com and our app provides sports gamblers an interface for tracking, analyzing and seizing opportunities.” In addition to providing real-time analytics, LineSwings users can be alerted via text or app notification when the line undergoes a significant swing during the game. For example, on Nov. 1, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams opened as a 3.5-point favorite over the Miami Dolphins. With the Dolphins leading 28-10 in the 2nd quarter, the line swung to make the Rams 16.5-point underdogs. When the underdog becomes the favorite, the line is considered inverted. The Rams came back in the game and lost by only 9. If a user set their alerts for either a 14+ point spread differential or a 14+ point inversion, he or she would have been notified in real time. LineSwings was founded by Philadelphia businessmen Dan Abato, Patrick Dougherty and Mike Rosenello, owners of ADR Technologies, LLC. They saw an opportunity to create LineSwings shortly after sports gambling became legal on mobile devices in their home state of Pennsylvania. Since LineSwings is not a sportsbook, sports fans can enjoy the data and analytics in all 50 states and around the world. As of Dec. 15, sports betting is legal on mobile devices in the following 12 states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Oregon, Colorado, West Virginia, Iowa and New Hampshire. Michigan will be added to that list in the coming weeks. Additional states are expected to approve sports betting on mobile devices in 2021. LineSwings consumers can make use of the information to become a smarter gambler by placing bets with their preferred sportsbook. LineSwings does not take bets. About LineSwings LineSwings is a sports gambling analytics company that offers exclusive data and graphs of the live betting lines and money lines throughout NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA men’s basketball games. Based in Philadelphia, LineSwings is available worldwide as a free service at LineSwings.com and their iOS app via the App Store. To learn more about LineSwings, visit their FAQ page at LineSwings.com/welcome/faq. Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth.eric@gmail.com Company Website https://www.lineswings.com/

December 15, 2020 08:07 AM Eastern Standard Time

Author Ken Kladouris Grants Wish During 2020 Make-A-Wish Virtual Hope Gala

Ken Kladouris

True giving knows no season, however, the holidays are annually a time filled with charitable fundraisers near and far. These events are vital to the health and survival of non-profits who are looking to close out the year financially sound, in order to support those they are dedicated to serving. While the pandemic of 2020 severely impacted the traditional way in which fundraising events were hosted, grit and determination proved to transform the experiences into virtual wonders. On November 14th, 2020 Make-A-Wish Orange County hosted their first ever virtual gala, raising $325,000 to fund approximately 40 wishes for critically-ill children, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Ken Kladouris, Partner and President of Platinum Wealth Group and author of “Get There” attended the virtual gala, continuing his annual tradition of granting a wish. The complete virtual gala can be viewed HERE. “The gift of a wish is that it transforms both the giver and the recipient. My heart is full knowing that a child will be able to experience the magic of a wish granted – which will elevate their hope for the future.” - Ken Kladouris About Ken Kladouris, CDFA: Ken Kladouris is an esteemed wealth advisor and published author who believes you should be living your life, by design. He is an active Partner and current President at Platinum Wealth Group and holds Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 3, 7, 24, 31 and 66 Registrations. Additionally, he holds a California Life and Health Insurance License. His first book, “Get There!” was developed as a tool that helps individuals discover the clarity they need to design their financial future. This resource was compiled following Kladouris’ own awakening. Becoming aligned with his “why”, he recognized his true purpose was to assist men and women across the globe in their pursuit of achieving enhanced joy, freedom and fulfillment. Learn More: KenKladouris.com | LinkedIn ### Contact Details Sterling Public Relations, Paula Steurer +1 949-200-6566 paula@sterlingpublicrelationsoc.com

December 10, 2020 03:55 PM Pacific Standard Time

Back on My Feet Expands National Presence with 14th City, Fort Lauderdale

Back on My Feet

Fort Lauderdale, FL (November 23, 2020) - Back on My Feet, the national non-profit that seeks to revolutionize the way society approaches homelessness, officially launched its 14th chapter on Friday, November 6th with the launch of their Fort Lauderdale location. The new chapter was able to launch thanks to a close partnership with Burdette Beckmann Inc. (BBI) and Back on My Feet’s facility partner, the Salvation Army Adult Recovery Center in Fort Lauderdale, and was launched during November in observance of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, a week dedicated to drawing attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness across the US. On November 6th, new Back on My Feet program participants, Back on My Feet staff, BBI staff and community volunteers gathered at 5:30am for the inaugural run. Staff and volunteers will continue to meet with program participants for run/walks, workforce development and training workshops and more, with the ultimate goal of helping participants find sustainable employment and stable housing. “Back on My Feet is focused on the positive change that we can bring to the Fort Lauderdale community and the sustainable impact we can have on the lives of those who are at risk of or already experiencing homelessness”, said Katy Sherratt, CEO of Back on My Feet. “Since 2007, Back on My Feet has combatted homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Due to the challenges 2020 brought, homelessness numbers are on the rise across the country, but our model is unique and innovative – and it works, having already helped almost 8,000 men and women find jobs and homes. We are honored to have BBI helping us expand into Fort Lauderdale, making our program accessible to so many more people here in Florida.” “BBI and the Taylor family strongly believe that we should give back to our community,” said Robert Taylor, CEO of BBI. “Back on My Feet offers a wonderful opportunity to help individuals experiencing homelessness transform their lives through the power and discipline of running and the healing influence of community and love.” Through the help of more than 150,000 volunteers, donors and community supporters nationwide, Back on My Feet’s unique, fitness-based, restorative model demonstrates that if you first build confidence, strength and self-esteem, individuals are better equipped to tackle the road ahead and move toward jobs, homes and new lives. In an economic impact study commissioned by Back on My Feet and validated by an external consulting group, for every $1 invested in the organization, there is a $2.50 return to the local community. This monetary return is achieved through increased economic output from employment and reduction in costs for shelters, medical services, incarceration and addiction treatment. Program participants are empowered by physical movement, but more importantly by the community built at morning runs and walks. If you are interested in getting involved in Fort Lauderdale please email ftlauderdale@backonmyfeet.org or visit backonmyfeet.org to learn more on how to get involved. About Back on My Feet Now operating in 14 major cities coast-to-coast, Back on My Feet recruits’ members at homeless and residential facilities and begins with a commitment to run three days a week. The second phase of the program, Next Steps, provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Back on My Feet members have run more than 1,000,000 miles and obtained more than 7,800 jobs and homes, and the organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers and supporters. Every $1 invested in Back on My Feet returns nearly $2.50 to the local community through increased economic output and cost savings. Visit backonmyfeet.org/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Burdette Beckmann Inc. Burdette Beckmann Inc. (BBI) is a national sales agency founded in 1955. We prioritize solution-based strategies and nurture lasting connections with our clients. Combining expertise in sales, marketing, and analytics, BBI guarantees meaningful results and productive outcomes for brands of every size and scope. Contact Details Kari Lindemann +1 215-772-1080 media@backonmyfeet.org Company Website https://backonmyfeet.org

November 23, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Cashmere Eco-Designer Fights Fast Fashion During Pandemic Holiday Season

Agility PR Solutions LLC

In a year when most craft fairs and festivals have been cancelled, ekologic cashmere clothing designer Kathleen Tesnakis of Troy, N.Y., is joining other artists in making the shift to online retail while keeping up the meaningful interaction between customer and creator. “This is the first November in eight years that my partner and I haven’t had to wake up at 4 a.m. to pack a rental van with a year’s worth of ekologic inventory, then drive from upstate down to Manhattan to set up an entire shop in Grand Central Terminal for the Holiday Fair,” said Tesnakis, who recycles cashmere to create new sweaters, skirts, hats and gloves. “Normally, we would spend the next month-and-a-half running our shop in Grand Central, overseeing our bustling studio in Troy and traveling between the two locations weekly to replenish inventory. It’s nice to get a little more sleep, but in normal years the Grand Central show accounts for about two-thirds of our annual revenue.” This year, ekologic is a featured artist in the first ever Grand Central Virtual Holiday Fair, a web-based version of what organizers claim to be New York City’s oldest and largest indoor holiday market that beckons customers from across the world to shop in the Terminal’s historic Vanderbilt Hall. Though Grand Central is most lucrative for her, Tesnakis said other art shows that occur across the nation throughout the year are no less important for designers like herself. She typically spends the spring and summer touring the country to sell her clothing line at various curated art shows in places like Dallas, Texas, Jackson Hole, Wy. and Portland, Ore. Those shows, all of which were cancelled this year due to COVID-19, account for the rest of ekologic’s annual revenue. Though the company has maintained an online store for more than two decades, the majority of her customers have preferred to shop in person, sometimes returning year after year to the same festivals and fairs. “I think people really put a value on the experience of purchasing handmade items directly from the artist who made them,” Tesnakis said. “When you shop our online store, you’re still purchasing directly from us. But I recognize that some customers need a bit more help deciding what colors to chose, what size to pick… which is why I’m available for virtual personalized shopping appointments.” Another way she connects with customers is through broadcasting on Facebook Live each Wednesday at 3 p.m. to share her production process and progress in the studio, as well as her philosophy on sustainability that guides her business practices. Climate change and environmental pollution are major crises facing humanity and we have to keep pushing for more sustainable practices,” Tesnakis said. “We have to be more eco-conscious, even during a pandemic, because our planet’s ecosystem is in a health crisis, too. I hope people will keep that in mind as they do more of their shopping online this season. Also, there are so many small artisan businesses that need your support this year and the gifts you find will have an extra special meaning.” FAST FASHION AND WASTE The average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of cheap textiles per year, choking landfills with “fast fashion” garments sold by mass-market retailers. “‘Fast fashion’ is clothing that’s made fast and cheap, with questionable labor practices and ends up in a landfill quickly,” Tesnakis said. “It’s a wasteful, environmentally destructive industry that has to change.” Since 1996, Tesnakis' ekologic company has practiced an alternative to “fast fashion” by recycling cashmere to create high-quality pieces including sweaters, dresses, hats and mittens in women’s and men’s styles that can be worn and cherished for generations. The ekologic mission is to make clothes that inspire a movement of sustainability and environmentally aware customers. “We’ve been on the front lines of the slow fashion revolution for over 20 years,” Tesnakis said. “Our clothing is made to last and to spark conversations about the clothes we wear and the products we purchase.” FASHIONABLE, GREEN, AND ONE-OF-A-KIND Every item made by ekologic is unique because of the way Tesnakis gathers and assembles her materials. After hunting down discarded cashmere treasures, she dismantles each article of clothing while taking the time to recognize its individual character and beauty. Finally, she transforms the material by joining it with other pieces to give an old garment new life and purpose. The random nature of recycling means Tesnakis must work with the materials she finds. While ekologic’s product lines are consistent, each ekologic item is uniquely individual. “Recycling informs my design and production,” Tesnakis said. “I don’t get to order trendy materials. It’s my job to make trends happen.” ekologic clothing is sought after by the environmentally conscious and fashion conscious alike. Celebrities, like Lee Ranaldo, of the iconic rock band Sonic Youth, and celebrated actress Halle Berry have been spotted wearing ekologic apparel. “In recent years, ‘green’ has become a powerful marketing tool that is sometimes used in cynical and disingenuous schemes,” Tesnakis said. “ekologic has been making genuinely ‘green’ fashion long before ‘green’ was fashionable.“ LOCALLY HARVESTED, ZERO WASTE, NO HARSH CHEMICALS In 2003, the eco-clothing company moved from Portland, Ore. to Troy, N.Y. to be closer to the fashion epicenter of New York City and family. All of the cashmere that ekologic recycles into new garments comes from within a 150-mile radius in the “Tri-State” area, qualifying it as “locally harvested.” Since moving to New York state, ekologic has repurposed more than16 tons of post-consumer clothing that would otherwise have ended up sold to international barges or landfilled. The ekologic process of washing and deconstructing post-consumer clothing uses only environmentally-friendly soap–no harsh chemicals or dyes—while striving to use a minimal amount of water. In 2014, ekologic adopted a “zero waste” production facility goal, meaning that even the smallest scraps of material are put to some re-use. ekologic has inspired other artists and manufacturers to use only post-consumer products and has forged new partnerships in order to achieve the “zero waste” goal. "We know that being green isn't easy. It's a lifelong process. Don't be intimidated and feel like you have to change your life overnight," says Tesnakis. "What we're asking you to do is take the steps that are closest to you to change. If each one of us did this, we would have an incredible impact on the world." WHY RECYCLE CASHMERE? Clothing was far more expensive in the early 20th century than it is today, and therefore there was a greater incentive to transform and re-purpose old clothing items into quilts or toys, or even a smaller version of the same garment—a damaged or worn dress for an adult would often be repurposed as a dress for a child. As clothing became cheaper, through outsourcing labor to developing nations, Westerners increasingly began to discard clothing items after one lifecycle or sometimes after a single use as in the case of seasonal fast fashion. By the early 1990s, nearly all new clothing was destined to be landfilled within a matter of a few years. But Tesnakis says she recognized that there are a few materials, such as wools, that have characteristics that made them prime for recycling. “Cashmere and wool are strong, antimicrobial natural fibers which helps them stay in good condition for generations,” Tesnakis said. “It's not uncommon for a beautiful cashmere jacket or a cashmere sweater to be still viable 20 to 30 years later.” REMADE BY HAND IN AMERICA: CONTINUING A HISTORY OF WOMEN & TEXTILES IN TROY, NY “Most people don’t know where their clothing was manufactured. Buying directly from the designer is a rewarding way to shop,” said Tesnakis. “When you shop ekologic, you know who made your clothes. You know how your clothes were made and what materials your clothes were made of. Those are the tenets of the slow fashion movement that will lead us to a fashion revolution.” Tesnakis noted that Troy is nicknamed the "Collar City" because a woman, Hannah Montague, invented the detachable collar here in 1827. Later, in 1864, Kate Mullany started the all-women Collar Laundry Union in Troy, one of the first women's labor unions in history. Tesnakis’ first studio in Troy was in a building that housed the Troy Waste Manufacturing Company which produced garments created from textile waste from the shirt collar industry 100 years before she got there. This year she opened a new studio at 184 4th Street in Troy’s “Pottery District” neighborhood. NEW DESIGNS FOR 2020 This year, ekologic debuted the newly-designed “Jackson” sweater, a modern mosaic piece that achieves zero waste, and a French-inspired beret. Accessories by ekologic cost between $72 to $88, while clothing prices range from $235 to $480. HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS & VIDEOS For high resolution fashion photos of ekologic products and models, and broadcast quality video of ekologic Designer & Founder Kathleen Tesnakis in her Troy studio, visit the following Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/to8qae7vlp88gvc/AAAUuH5wEXR-hNEGFEXF3nyMa?dl=0 CONNECT WITH EKOLOGIC For information, call (518) 274-0813 email info@ekologic.com or visit: http://www.ekologic.com, https://www.facebook.com/ekologicny, https://www.instagram.com/ekologic/ @ekologic_ny YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36T7s993TqhZuQkvudAlHg ART PARTY CENTRAL To help other artisans pivot to the virtual world, Tesnakis and four other women-owned businesses founded ArtPartyCentral.org to connect independent designers, artists and lifestyle brands with discerning, fun-loving shoppers online. Art Parties are festive, engaging and intimate hour-long virtual events presented by six makers showcasing their newest pieces, current inspirations, a peek at their techniques, and sharing the love of their work in their own environments. Contact Details Kathleen Tesnakis +1 518-867-1864 info@ekologic.com Company Website http://www.ekologic.com

November 19, 2020 10:33 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Veteran-Owned Healthcare Company Awarded Medical Equipment Government Contract Valued at $450 Million

Alliant Healthcare Products

Alliant Enterprises (dba Alliant Healthcare Products) has been awarded a Patient Monitoring & Capital Equipment (PMCE) contract by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) valued at $450 million over 10 years. The contract includes medical products from many of Alliant’s high-profile OEM partners, including Olympus America Inc., Philips Healthcare, Skytron, LINET Americas, Belimed Inc., PROCEPT BioRobotics, Veran Medical Technologies, and many others. The PMCE contract is pre-established and pre-vetted by the government as a source for medical equipment and acts as one of the preferred purchasing platforms for the Department of Defense (DoD). From robotic-assisted surgical devices to hospital beds and endoscopy equipment, this contract will help America’s service members gain access to more than 8,000 best-in-class medical devices and products over the next 10 years. When it comes to new and innovative technology, the lengthy and arduous procurement process has historically limited the ability of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DoD to quickly and efficiently purchase critical products. This contract will remove some of the bureaucratic red tape and pave the way to a smoother procurement process for federal government customers, ensuring veterans and active duty military personnel have quicker access to new technologies and life-saving medical equipment. “This PMCE contract solidifies Alliant’s position as one of the leading providers of medical equipment to the federal government. As a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, we strive to serve those who are actively working to protect our country,” said Eric Albery, President, Alliant Healthcare Products. “As a result of this contract, Alliant is able to provide federal government customers with access to some of the most advanced medical equipment on the market, through an efficient, net-centric ordering, distribution and payment system.” “Olympus and Alliant have established a high-trust relationship based on mutual respect and alignment of goals to meet the unique equipment needs of the federal government,” said Steve Wendt, Vice President for Government and Distributor Relations, Olympus America Inc. “We are excited to work with Alliant to successfully implement this new agreement administered by the Department of Defense, which will bring additional visibility to Olympus’ innovative technologies and make them more accessible to our nation’s service men and women, and our country’s veterans.” “There is no community more deserving, and we look forward to working with Alliant to understand how we can better serve the needs of veterans, active duty service men and women, as well as federal health facilities,” said Derek Farias, National Director Government Channel, Philips Healthcare. The new PMCE contract is effective immediately for government customers, adding to Alliant’s arsenal of pre-established government contracts for medical products. Founded in 2002, Alliant Healthcare has become a trusted and respected staple within the federal government healthcare market, working closely with the DoD, VA, Indian Health Service, National Institute of Health and many other federal agencies. Alliant Healthcare, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that specializes in federal government sales, contracting, and distribution. Working closely with the Department of Defense, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies, Alliant provides extraordinary value to government customers by providing dozens of pre-established government contracts, access to thousands of medical products, unparalleled procurement knowledge, local sales support, and a single point of contact for maximized ordering efficiencies and customer service excellence. For more information, visit www.allianthealthcare.com. Contact Details Casey Johnson +1 206-239-0108 cjohnson@apcoworldwide.com

October 29, 2020 07:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time

New Suzy Research Shows Brands Will Need to Shift Strategies to Meet Consumer Preferences this Holiday Season

Suzy

NEW YORK (Oct. 22) -- Suzy , a real-time market research platform, today announced its new research report, “State of the Consumer: 'Tis the Season for Uncertainty,” revealing data about holiday shopping, travel and anticipated consumer spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report found that Americans will rely on virtual connections during the holidays and shift gift giving strategies, meaning brands will have to plan accordingly. Less travel and turkey this Thanksgiving for most Due to continued social distancing guidelines, many Americans are changing their traditional plans, including how and where they will travel during the holidays. Suzy’s research revealed that 75% of young adults do not plan to travel during Thanksgiving and more than one-third of overall respondents (38%) are still undecided about their December holiday plans. While some will try to visit family and friends in-person this Thanksgiving, Suzy found that the majority of respondents have significantly changed their plans. In fact, only 10% either plan to host or attend a Friendsgiving and only about half (53%) will cook a turkey this year. Additionally, indicating major changes for the airline and auto rental industries, respondents are shifting their travel habits: 86% of those who do intend to travel for Thanksgiving are only visiting family, and 71% of those are electing to travel by car. Apprehension remains for public transportation, as only 17% plan to fly, 8% will rely on bus transportation and 3% will take a train for their holiday travel. Zero percent of people aged 60 to 72 years old plan to travel by plane. 29% plan to attend a virtual family event. “Our research shows that major brands are going to have to adjust their advertising, promotions and sales strategies this holiday season to meet consumer demand and expectations,” said Suzy President Avi Savar. “The holidays are a critical time for brands every year, but this year is especially high-stakes for retailers due to market fluctuations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.” Uncertainty looms around holiday shopping According to Suzy research, holiday shopping plans are still in major flux as consumers aren’t sure how much they will spend this year. In fact, according to Suzy research: 38% are not sure how much they will spend on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, while 22% plan to spend less on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. 12% plan to spend more on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. 32% plan to shop on Black Friday, versus 63% of people who shopped during Black Friday in 2019. 53% are either unsure how much they will spend or plan to spend less on gift giving this holiday season. 65% think it is most important to buy gifts for their kids; 61% are prioritizing buying gifts for their significant other. “Based on our research, it appears that long distance gifting and care packages will become a reality, as people ship presents to loved ones that they cannot be with in person. Brands must change their strategies accordingly to meet these gift giving needs,” added Savar. “Additionally, consumers will be looking to their most frequently shopped retailers to offer deep promotions and discounts to make the holidays a little easier on their psyche and wallets.” A complete State of the Consumer: 'Tis the Season for Uncertainty report is available upon request. About the State of the Consumer: 'Tis the Season for Uncertainty: Suzy’s State of the Consumer: 'Tis the Season for Uncertainty study surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers in September 2020. The samples are directionally representative of U.S. consumers and census-weighted across age, gender, ethnicity, and region to accurately reflect attitudes across the broader American consumer population. Founded in 2017, Suzy is an enterprise software platform that puts the voice of the consumer at your fingertips. Whether you’re a novice or an expert researcher, Suzy delivers advanced tools combined with the highest-quality audience to deliver insights in minutes. Many of the biggest brands in the world use Suzy to deliver breakthrough products and experiences backed by data-driven decisions. To date, Suzy has raised over $35MM in venture capital funding from investors that include Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Foundry Group, Tribeca Venture Partners, Triangle Peak Partners, and Kevin Durant’s 35 Ventures. Learn more at www.suzy.com. Contact Details Noe Sacoco +1 408-340-8130 suzy@trustrelations.agency Company Website http://suzy.com/

October 22, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Monster Energy’s Mitch Ropelato Takes First Place in Dual Slalom at Inaugural Strait Acres Slalom Invitational in Alpine, CA

Monster Energy

Monster Energy rider Mitch Ropelato t ook the top spot at this weekend’s inaugural Strait Acres Slalom Invitational event in Alpine, California featuring the who’s who of America riders. For the first time, Dual Slalom made its debut at Strait Acres where the top 16 men and top eight women qualified to compete in the finals. Racers faced a short and fast course with tight berms, a rhythm section, a couple of fast left and rights, and finished with classic loose flat dirt turns. The dual slalom track was on the longer side of about 30 seconds long with open turns, a few back-to-back S berms, stall wall and a rhythm lane. Racing was fast and furious with riders blasting through corners faster than they were able to process what was happening in the next lane. As soon as they made it past the last set of berms, it was head to head in a good old-fashioned flat, loose dirt gate bashing session. With the ground hard and dry, it was surprisingly slippery and more than one big name was taken out on the dry decomposed gravel where Ropelato’s rival in the finals and event host, Kyle Straight, slid out in the last corner handing Ropelato an advantage going into the second and final run. Ropelato who had qualified in second place, raced smart all day, pushing where he could and not making any mistakes using his slalom experience cutting through the field to take the win in the end. “Before I arrived, it was my mindset that the event was going to be low key fun little event, but then as the week progressed things got a little serious and while it was still fun, the intensity level went up on every run and I had to keep focus all the way to the end, said Ropelato. This was one of the sickest events I’ve raced in a long time! The course was fun, well organized and racing was awesome- stoked to have picked up the win!” Download High Res Images for Editorial Use. For more on Ropelato and Monster Energy’s Mountain Bike athletes visit www.monsterenergy.com Follow Monster Energy on YouTube , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . ### About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com . Contact Details Kimberly Paige Dresser +1 949-300-5546 kim.dresser@indiepragency.com Company Website https://www.indiepragency.com

October 06, 2020 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Growing Uncertainty: Brodeur Partners’ latest Relevance study details the serious toll that COVID-19, racial strife and political divides are taking on all Americans

Brodeur Partners

Amid racial strains, a pandemic and a divided political climate, Americans place increased emphasis on safety, mental/physical health, personal finances, and friends and family, new research from Brodeur Partners suggests. The survey points to kindness, honesty and optimism as values most needed to address challenges of 2020 and beyond. More than half of Americans find reliable, accurate information is elusive. The survey elicited new data comparable to benchmarks from similar Brodeur surveys in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The differences are surprising, according to Andrea Coville, CEO of Brodeur Partners, and paint a picture of national gloom and uncertainty with an underlying hope that conditions will eventually improve. According to the wide-ranging survey of 1,250 Americans: There were significant drops in Americans’ self-identification with being “compassionate” (-12%) and “happy” (-10%). Alternatively, there appeared to be a marked increased focus on financial security, particularly among younger generations. Eight years ago, “caring for friends and family” was the top priority among items tested. Today that number one spot has been replaced by “financial security.” Consistent with other surveys, the Brodeur study showed that concern about financial stability and career growth was most pronounced among Millennials and Gen Z, who appear to be bearing the brunt of the economic impact of the pandemic. And while not tested in earlier studies, the study showed that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the one factor that has become the most difficult – from a range of things that included staying connected with family and career advancement – is the ability to get information that is reliably accurate. Half of Americans (50%) said it has become very or somewhat more difficult over the past six months to find accurate information. The Brodeur study suggests that the pandemic is prompting people to consolidate around ideological “tribes.” Brodeur's Relevance Model focuses on four different drivers of relevance – reason, values, community, and sensory experience. This recent survey found that since one of the firm’s benchmark studies in 2016, 11% more respondents describe themselves as community-minded (e.g., looking to others for advice in decision-making) and 6% more respondents identify themselves with others in terms of shared values. For example, nearly half (42%) of respondents say they share political cultural and social values with most of their friends, up significantly from one-quarter (26%) in 2016. “Our data shows that the pandemic is generating considerable social and economic strain, exacerbated by an uncertainty about who to trust and where to go to get reliable information,” said Coville, co-author of a forthcoming book, “Creating Relevance in a Time of Uncertainty ,” building on her seminal book on Relevance. “Some fear for their personal safety,” she added. “Others feel ignored, deceived or deprived of economic opportunity. People seek waypoints from trusted sources and organizations, which is why companies and organizations have an opportunity to lead the communities they serve.” Silver Linings Although the survey documented a depressed national mood, there’s ample cause for hope: Happiness seems to rise with age. Thirty-one percent (31%) of Gen Z respondents rated themselves very happy and fulfilled, a share that grew to 60% for the silent generation. [1] In an attempt to wrest happiness from the gloom, respondents say the following activities have become more important for them: Improving my physical health (73% of respondents said that’s become more important given the events of 2020). Spending more time with friends and family (68%). Improving my mental health (63%). Making or saving a lot of money was most frequently named as a goal that’s growing in importance among Gen Z (68% called it more important given the events of 2020) and Millennial (73%) respondents. At the same time, career advancement is getting more difficult particularly for Gen Z (46% complained of this difficulty), Millennial (53%) and Generation X (46%) respondents. The Role of the Internet and ‘Tribes’ The pandemic also appears to have helped fuel a growing civility crisis, something that likely contributes to people’s challenge in finding information and sources that are reliable and can be trusted. With people quarantining and distancing, the internet is a convenient arena for battle over differing opinions and identities. Its divisive power is fueled by two strongly opposing forces: One is the generous belief that “every person’s views should be respected,” held by 74% of respondents; the other is “an obligation to speak frankly on issues” (55% affirm) and “to correct people when they are wrong” (47%). Couple these opposing forces with platforms that steer internet users to provocative content, and it’s not surprising that nearly 1 in 5 respondents has lost or severed a relationship in the last month because of an online dispute. One in four have been criticized for expressing their views online in that time, and nearly 1 in 4 believe they’ve been “labeled a certain type of person” or experienced discrimination for their views. Buying, giving, politics, ethics and higher ed The survey also examined some perennial areas of interest for Brodeur clients, including charitable giving, consumer attitudes, politics, corporate social responsibility and higher education. Respondents were asked about the charities to which they donated the most in the past 12 months. Twenty-five percent (25%) named human services/community programs, followed by those supporting health (23%), environment/animal welfare (15%), education (12%), cultural (6%) and international causes (4%). Consumers feel far more loyalty around food and drink choices (38%) than news sources (15%), clothing (12%), autos (11%), and consumer electronics (10%). Since 2014, the share of respondents expressing loyalty/affinity to the Democratic party has fallen by 5% while the share of Republican loyalty is up 13%. Thirty-two percent (32%) of respondents say they regularly pay more for ethical products and services, up 14 points from 2016. In consumer purchases, environmental and sustainability factors were by far the most important purchase decision factor for Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X respondents. Labor and human rights issues, however, were bigger factors for boomers and the silent generation, and more important to women than men. Career preparation remains the number one factor in college choice, but location is gaining in importance. When respondents imagine advising high school students on choosing a college, school location came in a close second behind academics (29%) with 25% of respondents calling location the most important college-choice factor, up from 7% in 2016. That’s higher than school cost (19%), job opportunities provided by the school (13%), people students could meet there (7%), and the social experience (7%). Methodology The study was conducted from May 27-28, 2020, using an online survey panel of n=1,250 Americans age 15+. To ensure the sample of respondents was representative of the US populations, we screened respondents based on gender, age/generation, and region. [1] Gen Z=ages 15-23, Millennials=24-39, Gen X=40-55, Boomers=56-74, silent generation=75 and above. Brodeur Partners is a strategic communications company that helps organizations become and remain relevant in a complicated world. Headquartered in Boston, the company has four U.S. offices and operates in 33 countries globally. It is differentiated by its focus on relevance, behavioral change, and ability to bring a discipline-agnostic approach to its nonprofit, consumer, and business-to-business clients. www.brodeur.com. Contact Details Kaitlynn Cooney +1 609-351-5944 kcooney@brodeur.com Company Website http://www.brodeur.com

September 24, 2020 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Monster Energy’s Mitch Ropelato Takes First Place in Dual Slalom at Inaugural Strait Acres Slalom Invitational in Alpine, CA

Growing Uncertainty: Brodeur Partners’ latest Relevance study details the serious toll that COVID-19, racial strife and political divides are taking on all Americans