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Out with the Old, in with the New PR Tech Stack: How AI is Transforming Journalism and PR Alike

PRophet

For years, the tech stack, driven by fast-paced innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, has been fundamentally changing the marketing industry. Now, it’s PR’s turn to join the stack. The PR industry is on the cusp of a major change – thanks to AI, the job of the PR pro has the potential to be thoroughly reimagined, improving the work of humans without replacing them. This will be the topic of discussion at a marquee panel during the PRovoke North America Public Relations Summit on Wednesday, February 24, titled “Robots Won’t Take your Job, But AI Can Now Help You Perfect Your Pitch.” The panel will feature IBM’s VP of corporate communications Sarah Bruning Meron and The New Yorker contributor John Seabrook, author of 2019’s “Can a Machine Learn to Write for The New Yorker” about the possibilities of predictive text and its impact on journalism. Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, the first-ever AI-driven platform for the PR community to help predict media interest, will moderate the discussion, focusing on the role of AI in the modernization of media relations and media relationships. The session will explore questions such as how AI and machine learning will change media relations forever, and whether AI can identify story angles and refine pitches more effectively than humans. “AI and machine learning have the prospect of shaping media relations as never before,” said Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet. “By discussing the capabilities and practical applications of these technologies – and the impact they are likely to have on how both journalists and communications professionals do their jobs – this panel will offer a compelling and insightful window into the future of news and public relations.” The virtual event marks PRovoke’s 8th North America PR summit, which will feature a half-day of content coalescing around the theme “Reset” – exploring the pressing communications issues that have emerged as we navigate the aftermath of 2020. The summit will be followed by the Innovation SABRE Awards – North America 2021 online gala. To receive complementary access to the panel and event, email sales@prprophet.ai. PRophet is the first-ever AI-driven software-as-a service (SaaS) platform designed by and for the PR community that samples past stories to better predict future media interest, sentiment, and spread through natural language processing and machine learning. PRophet is owned by Ahteed, LLC, an MDC Ventures company and was founded by marketing industry thought leader and entrepreneur Aaron Kwittken alongside former political strategist, technologist, and author Mark Penn, currently President of Stagwell Group and chairman and CEO of MDC Partners and formerly with Microsoft. To learn more, visit prprophet.ai/home. Contact Details KWT Global for PRophet Jason Fagan +1 646-761-1206 jfagan@kwtglobal.com Company Website https://www.prprophet.ai/home

February 22, 2021 10:04 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Manny Castro Fulfills Lifelong Dream of US Citizenship

Minuteman Press International Inc

After being a permanent resident for over 35 years, Manny Castro has fulfilled his lifelong dream of achieving his US citizenship. As Minuteman Press franchise owner in Downey, CA for 14 years, Manny credits the support of his family and the team at Minuteman Press International with helping him achieve his dream. “I officially became a US Citizen on November 20, 2020, and it feels just great! This is my home; I have been living in the States most of my life and now I can vote. I am really proud of being a Citizen of the greatest country in the world, a land of opportunities for all!” From El Salvador to Entrepreneurship Originally from El Salvador, Manny is proud to be a shining example of achieving the American Dream both in his life and in his career. He says, “To get my US Citizenship after all this time is just an incredible accomplishment. I came to this beautiful country 38 years ago without a dollar in my pocket, no skills, no academic degrees, no English, not even a high school diploma. Just a young teenager at that time, running away from a very conflicted civil war in El Salvador, looking for a better life.” Reflecting back on those painful struggles and thinking about where he is today, Manny exclaims, “All I can say now is God is great, and may God continue to bless this great country that offers people from all walks of life, hope, endless opportunities, and a second chance in life.” Manny has owned his Minuteman Press franchise in Downey, CA since May 2007. During that time, he has successfully built his business while receiving crucial training and support from his franchisor. “My Regional Vice President Dan Byers and Steve Szymanski have always had my back since day one. They both wrote a beautiful letter of recommendation for me, to support my application for my citizenship. It meant so much to me and my family. Dan and Steve were delighted to help when I asked; everything I obtained when applying contributed to me being granted my citizenship. My kids were born here, and my entire family have already become citizens. It was time for me now to take that next step as well and join the millions of proud Americans. I love this country so much, and I’ve met great people along the way. God has opened up so many doors for me here. It is a land of opportunity for all. If you work hard, the sky is the limit.” Journey to Minuteman Press Dan Byers has known Manny Castro for 15 years. He says, “I first met Manny at a Franchise Expo in Pasadena in February 2006 and he was determined to own a business. At the time, he was working at a company that was downsizing and he saw business ownership as a means to financial independence, the opportunity to step up to a new challenge, and a way to regain control of his time.” Manny explains, “I was a distribution zone manager for a weekly publication company. I had researched many other companies and different industries for a while, but none of them gave me the level of confidence that I needed to motivate me and move forward that Minuteman Press did. Once my decision was made and we moved forward with training and opening up my center, they gave me a real solid foundation, and second-to-none ongoing support to this day.” Dan continues, “In an effort to be close to home, Manny converted an independent printing company in Downey to a Minuteman Press franchise in 2007. Time and time again, Manny has been able to successfully manage his business by working hard and treating people – customers, vendors, and employees – fairly and with the utmost respect. Whether it was the Great Recession of 2008 or the COVID-19 pandemic today, Manny has managed to stay positive and remain focused on growing his business by following the Minuteman Press franchise system.” Managing the Business Through the COVID-19 Pandemic Because Minuteman Press Downey is an essential business, Manny and his team have continued to remain open through the pandemic. He says, “We are an essential printing business and able to assist local businesses in any industry – medical, financial, retail, restaurants – and all businesses that continue to operate.” Manny adds, “For our clients, A-Frame signage, banners, floor decals, brochures, and direct mail have all been crucial in keeping their businesses operating safely while communicating with their customers. 99% of our customer base are other local businesses, and I see people are hungry to get back to work, to open up their doors safely, and we are helping them reach out and reopen safely. I’m very optimistic that things are turning back into full force. We have positioned ourselves to be there for our business community and meet their needs.” During the pandemic, Minuteman Press International has once again proven to be there for Manny to support him. He says, “Minuteman Press ongoing support during these unprecedented times has been tremendous. They’ve been there for us since COVID-19 started and provided us with extensive communications, guidance, marketing strategies, and additional resources. For example, when two of my employees needed to be home, Minuteman Press immediately provided me with additional field support to help me out with everything I needed. They are always there and quick to act whenever I need a helping hand or advice.” “We are an essential printing business and able to assist local businesses in any industry – medical, financial, retail, restaurants – and all businesses that continue to operate.” -Manny Castro, Minuteman Press franchise owner, Downey, CA Rewards of Business Ownership + Advice for Others When asked about the rewards of owning his business, Manny answers, “The most rewarding thing is having full control of your life and your financials. It’s very fulfilling to have your own business. I know that if I work hard, I reap the benefits.” His advice for others is this: “I will say Minuteman Press is a great company to partner up with. They are a leader in the printing industry and with over 45 years of experience. For someone like me who did not know about paper sizes and stocks 14 years ago, this meant the world to me. People can review the Minuteman Press franchise and see there are no hidden agendas. There was no pressure to buy the franchise, and they’ve supported me from day one and continue to work with me in achieving my company goals with ongoing coaching and marketing strategies to get there. Our success is their success as well. Minuteman Press has helped me do everything from getting started and achieving my dream of owning a business to helping my essential business during the pandemic.” Manny reflects once more on his incredible journey to US Citizenship, saying, “And now, Minuteman Press has helped me fulfill my other lifelong dream of becoming a US Citizen. For someone from El Salvador to be able to accomplish all of this, I needed to have help along the way. I couldn’t ask for a better franchise to be a part of or better people who are working on behalf of Minuteman Press International to support me with everything I do. Minuteman Press simply has my back, and I couldn’t ask for anything more than that in my business and in my life.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Downey, CA, visit https://www.downey.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Elevate Your Health and Wellness Routine in 2021

YourUpdateTV

With healthy routines top of mind now more than ever, it’s important to discuss some simple ways to stay on track in the New Year. From immune health and stress support to supplements for sleep – there are many ways to help people live a healthier version of themselves and make the most of each and every day.* Health and Wellness Experts from The Bountiful Company, Meghan Sowa and Nicole Hayes, recently teamed with YourUpdateTV to discuss tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, in addition to providing vitamin, supplement and other product recommendations such as healthy snacking options to consider. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ngcrVBhhy6o Immune Health: Immune health is at the forefront of many minds right now and the experts have a few key items to incorporate into your routine for 2021. First, Nature's Bounty® Immune 24 Hour+ with Ester-C®, the only Vitamin C with 24-hour immune support†, that provides advanced, long-lasting immune support to help keep you healthy.* Plus, these rapid release soft gels contain ingredients like Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin A for extra immune and antioxidant support, and herbal superstars Elderberry and Echinacea.* Taking a multivitamin is another great way to maintain overall health. Sundown® Adult Multivitamin Gummies are a fun and delicious way for adults to take vitamins. These gluten free, dairy free and Non-GMO gummies are all clean‡, all the time and have 10 essential vitamins to provide support for bone, immune and heart health. Parents and kids both love Sundown® Kids Complete◊ Multivitamin Gummies because they’re packed with 13 essential nutrients, are Non-GMO, Gluten, Dairy and Peanut Free and come in delicious, fun character shapes. For immune support and to keep your bones and joints healthy, turn to Osteo Bi-Flex® Triple Strength + Vitamin D.* The Triple Strength formula features Vitamin D to support strong, healthy bones and a healthy immune system, plus Joint Shield™ to soothe joints and help with occasional joint stiffness.* Easing Stress and Promoting Restful Sleep: More than half of Americans (55%) say they experience stress most of the day, so it’s no surprise stress and sleep are trends in the supplement industry1. Nature’s Bounty® Sleep3+Stress Support is an extension of the innovative Nature’s Bounty ® Sleep3, the first maximum strength tri-layer sleep aid launched in 2019.* For occasional sleeplessness, the innovative time-release melatonin technology helps you fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer, while Ashwagandha helps support a healthy response to occasional stress and anxiety.* To specifically address stress, Nature’s Bounty® Stress Comfort Mood Booster Gummies easily fit into your stress-management routine with delicious gummies to calm feelings of stress and promote a positive mood.* Beauty Tips: We all want to look and feel our best all year-round, and let’s face it – beauty starts from within. One way to pamper yourself is with Nature’s Bounty® Advanced Hair, Skin & Nails gummies. From Nature’s Bounty®, the #1 brand for hair, skin and nails product∆, this item supports beautiful hair, glowing skin and healthy nails, and focuses on beauty from the inside out.* But that’s not all! Beauty fans can give their routines an extra boost with Nature’s Bounty® Collagen Beauty Blends. This line of powders dissolve in cold or hot liquid and helps improve skin elasticity and hydration, while helping to decrease skin roughness.* New Year, New Fitness Resolutions: The New Year is a great time to up your fitness game and Sports & Active brand, Pure Protein ®, has you covered with multiple new innovations. Fitness fans will love the NEW Pure Protein® S'mores and Chocolate Peanut Butter 30g Shakes. Packed with 30 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugar, these are the perfect option for protein on-the-go. And for all of the snack lovers out there, who want to indulge without the guilt we have new sweet and savory snacking options. The NEW Pure Protein® Double Chocolate and Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies are delicious, soft and chewy cookie sandwiches are a perfect treat any time of the day. Also check out the poppable, savory NEW Pure Protein® Nacho Cheese Puffs and Brick Oven Pizza Puffs, which have 18g of protein, just 1g of sugar and are irresistibly tasty and crunchy. Stay in the know by following The Bountiful Company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Meghan Sowa: As a busy working mom, Meghan maintains a healthy lifestyle by getting her steps through trailing behind her active second grader and new puppy. And for those mid-afternoon calls, she always has a protein bar handy for that extra boost. Meghan stays close to the health and wellness space personally and professionally, and wants nothing more than to help folks (of all ages) do the same. About Nicole Hayes: As full-time working mom of 3 under 4, including a set of twins, Nicole knows it can be tough to keep up a wellness routine. That’s why she fits it into her entire day, whether it’s running errands, taking trips to the park with her little ones, or going on a lunchtime walk. Being an insider at The Bountiful Company, Nicole is sure to know the best tips and tricks to incorporate wellness into your everyday routine. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with SteelCloud

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with SteelCloud, a leading provider of capabilities to automate policy compliance, configuration control, and Cloud security. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. ConfigOS is SteelCloud’s patented software compliance suite that allows anyone to quickly establish a STIG ( Security Technical Implementation Guide ) and or CIS ( Center for Information Security ) - cyber security compliant environment. The patented software is a complete solution offering scanning, automated remediation, compliance reporting, and external interfaces to other tools. ConfigOS is the only COTS solution on the market that fully automates remediation out of the box, saving countless hours of information assurance labor while establishing enterprise compliance consistency. It addresses policy remediation automation for Windows and Linux operating systems and applications. Learn more at https://www.steelcloud.com/cmmc/ The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between SteelCloud and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organisations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and SteelCloud partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “SteelCloud is excited to forge this partnership with the CMMC-COE,” said Mr. Brian Hajost, SteelCloud President & CEO. “CMMC is a vital program to secure the DoD’s contractor supply chain in order to protect critical U.S information. By working with the CMMC-COE, we can deliver our compliance automation technology and reduce the cost and complexity of CMMC compliance for the broadest range of DIB customers.” The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on SteelCloud, please visit https://www.steelcloud.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 22, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Jamie Morri Joins NVISNx as Chief Revenue Officer

NVISNx

NVISNx [n-vision-x], the leading PaaS information governance, risk and compliance (iGRC) company committed to helping businesses effectively identify and protect all critical data, announces today that Jamie Morri has joined the company as Chief Revenue Officer. Morri joins NVISNx from the leading provider of open-source solutions, Red Hat, where she served as Southwest Services Region leader. She brings to NVISNx her unique expertise in managing and building business by focusing on customer success, developing high-performing teams, operationalizing sales programs and delivering measurable business value for customers. “We are thrilled to have a proven sales leader like Jamie take point as our 1st Chief Revenue Officer! Having such an action-oriented leader with the level of experience, energy and commitment Jamie brings will take NVISNx’s direct and channel partner revenues to the next level,” said Glen Day, CEO and NVISNx. “She will be instrumental in helping us achieve our business goals and focusing on key market segments, like healthcare, that will increase our market traction while also ensuring that our Platform is providing exceptional value to our customers.” Prior to joining Red Hat in 2018, Ms. Morri served as Vice President & Business Development Leader for management consulting firm, North Highland, and held leadership positions in sales and global services at IBM, Oracle and KPMG. In each role, she leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to successfully increase revenue and structure/scale sales and delivery teams. She earned her Bachelor of Administration, Pre-Law from North Carolina State University and her MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University. In her spare time she has qualified for the Boston Marathon many times and enjoys triathlons! “I’m very excited to join NVISNx and to provide customers a first-of-its-kind global, information governance, risk & compliance platform,” said Jamie Morri, Chief Revenue Officer at NVISNx. “This is a phenomenal opportunity with enormous market demand for companies trying to close the gap to finally stopping data breaches. I see this need across all industries from healthcare, social media, high-tech, financial services, utilities, manufacturing, and from start-ups to Fortune 500’s like Platform Science, Universal Music Group, Facebook and Qualcomm. NVISNx has changed the game when it comes to protecting critical data while also helping companies save millions by disposing useless data. They are the new thought leader and market disruptor bringing a proactive and visible approach to protecting critical data and identifying useless data, while delivering measurable business results.” ABOUT NVISNx NVISNx is a powerful PaaS information governance, risk and compliance (iGRC) company committed to helping businesses effectively identify and protect all critical data. Our first-to-market iGRC platform provides an automated, visible and prioritization of data protection and junk file elimination, ensuring your crown jewels are secure while redundant, outdated, trivial, and abandoned files are purged. Our platform increases operational efficiencies and profit margins while helping Business, Cybersecurity and IT professionals better understand their massive data assets to make more informed decisions about their data. NVISNx’s visual analytics engine offers rich and meaningful intelligence insights to prioritize and protect all critical data and help defensibly purge files that have no business value, incur business risks and/or impair compliance, providing massive cost savings across the enterprise in just a few weeks. Our team of experts have built an intelligent, easy-to-use solution that enables business users to become their own data analyst. NVISNx is here to help you protect your prize data, while saving you millions in unnecessary storage costs. To learn more, please visit www.NVISNx.com Contact Details NRPR Group Nicole Rodrigues +1 424-421-9610 Nicole@nrprgroup.com Company Website https://www.NVISNx.com/

February 18, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Not Going Back To ‘Normal’: Pandemic E-commerce Trend Will Continue Post-Vaccine Rollout

Suzy

PSFK, the most progressive thought-leader in retail, today announced findings from their “Future of Retail 2021 Report: A Playbook for Resilient Retail.” The report showcases how agile, consumer-centric business practices, data-driven decision making and a culture of ongoing experimentation were key components to business success in 2020 and are the building blocks for growth in the coming decade. On February 25th, at 11AM EST, the report will be brought to life during a free virtual event, Future of Retail 2021. The two hour event will feature a one-hour roundtable conversation with leaders from Bain & Co., Brooks Running, L'Oréal, Pandora, Maserati, Sonae, Vans/VFC and Wawa. This session will be followed by an hour-long deep-dive into the report findings, featuring a conversation between Scott Lachut, PSFK’s President of Research and Strategy, and Matt Britton, CEO of Suzy. The report, developed in partnership with Suzy, the leading real-time market research platform, includes survey results about the changing behaviors and expectations of the U.S. consumer, their current shopping habits, and provides a peek into what they expect from their future in-store shopping experience. Results from the Future of Retail Report show that consumers have adopted a “new normal” for shopping, and it’s focused on digital. Only 23% of respondents will shift their spending back to in-store after the pandemic. Furthermore, consumers who do shop in-store expect the retail experience to be fundamentally redesigned. Based on PSFK’s findings, it is clear that shopper loyalty is changing during the pandemic. In fact, 39% of U.S. consumers report they have recently engaged with a new retailer online and 24% visited a new retail location. Of those who shopped at a new retailer in 2020, 65% said that they will continue shopping at this new retailer indefinitely. Additionally, 62% of U.S. consumers expect to change at least one brand preference/loyalty in 2021. “The most successful retailers and brands will be those with resilience at their core. These companies invest in people, systems and infrastructure, ensuring they are connected together by digital information and processes,” said PSFK Founder Piers Fawkes. “Enhanced, real-time data capabilities are a must for any corporation going forward, so they can understand market behavior and track consumer needs the moment they shift.” Shoppers Want a New in-Store Shopping Experience Highlighting shifts in behavior, the Future of Retail 2021 Report found that shoppers want to be in control of aspects that retailers used to manage, such as checking inventory (53%). They also want in-store self-scanning capabilities and the ability to make transactions through their phones (33%). As for visiting stores in-person, respondents rated returns as a key need (46%), along with product repairs (26%) and e-commerce pick-up (24%). “Retail has gone through a major transformation this year and it’s clear that consumers aren’t going back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns,” said Suzy President Avi Savar. “Brands will need to consider these shifts as they plan campaign and product strategies moving forward. Real-time consumer insights will play a big role in helping organizations meet these changing needs.” About the PSFK Future of Retail 2021 Report: The qualitative trends-research report features findings from research performed in Q4, 2020. Quantitative insights provided by Suzy are from a study fielded in November 2020. The study surveyed 1,000 U.S. online-shoppers with a 50/50 gender split. The full report can be downloaded here: www.psfk.com/FoR21 About PSFK: Since 2004, retail futures firm, PSFK, has been leading the narrative around Retail and Consumer Experience Innovation. Leading brands and retailers across categories rely on PSFK’s syndicated trends research offering (PSFK iQ) and consulting arm (PSFK Labs), to fuel their innovation efforts and build relevant, on-trends business platforms to engage audiences. About Suzy Founded in 2017, Suzy is a real-time market research 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 $46MM 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 Jennifer Mirabile +1 408-340-8130 suzy@trustrelations.agency Company Website http://suzy.com/

February 17, 2021 10:00 AM 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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How to Eliminate Market Recovery Using an IUL by Jennifer Lang Financial Services.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang +1 877-487-8926 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

February 16, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Family-Owned Minuteman Press Franchise in East Indianapolis Shows Print Is Essential

Minuteman Press International Inc

Diana Renollet bought her Minuteman Press franchise located at 9105 E. 56th St., Suite E, in May 2020. Minuteman Press East Indianapolis is an essential business, so Diana and her team have spent their first nine months supporting local businesses and community groups with critical printing, marketing, and communication services during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says, “ Owning our own family business is a dream come true. I had done my research, and when the opportunity came I was ready.” After 33 years of working for others, Diana further explains, “With my own business, I feel like I am no longer wasting away years of my life on conference calls working for someone else. I am not answering to someone before making my own decisions. It makes me feel free being my own boss.” Supporting Local Businesses During COVID-19 Under Diana’s leadership, it is no surprise that Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis has been working hard on proactive community outreach and providing personalized local customer service. She says, “Being an essential business means we can support other local businesses and organizations who are also essential and operating as well as those who are reopening. We design and print custom orders for items they are using right now such as face masks, banners, menus, and more. It’s great that they know we are here for them as their trusted local business partner.” She continues, “For example, we are members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and fulfilled an order for 200 face masks. We have also donated to their Toy Drive as well as to the Lawrence Police Dept. Explorers program. We love what we do and it’s gratifying to be involved and give back to our local community who supports our essential business.” Even before becoming a business owner, community involvement was important to Diana. She says, “For the past five years, I have been the Vice President of the non-profit organization Indy Blue Star Mothers, which supports parents of children who are actively serving in the military or who are Veterans. I have also become a member of the Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis. Now that I own this business, I feel even more connected to my neighbors.” “At Minuteman Press, we print everything while providing outstanding local customer service. I love getting engaged in client projects and bringing them to life. Our mindset is to provide a positive experience from beginning to end.” -Diana Renollet, Minuteman Press franchise owner, East Indianapolis Print is Essential Diana’s passion for the printing industry and her business is readily apparent to her clients and anyone she speaks to. She says, “Everywhere I look I see print opportunities and I know I can help my clients promote their businesses. From billboards to street signs, whether indoors or outdoors, every letter or image you see is created digitally and printed. I cannot help but get excited when I talk about this industry and the many ways we are able to promote your business through print.” Diana enjoys being the face of her business and has fully embraced the Minuteman Press franchise system including their marketing programs. The fact that she is a printing and marketing services provider herself allows her to implement effective strategies. She says, “The key is to market, market, market. I have made countless phone calls simply letting our customers know that we are open and ready to help. I have sent out several hundred letters to customers making them aware of special discounts and promotions. We send back goodies of some sort with every order that is delivered to our customers. Sometimes we make goodie bags for our customers or send donuts from the shop next door.” Diana continues, “On every box that goes out of our center and back to a customer, we put a note that says, ‘Your business is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with you.’ This is really important to me. If we deliver four boxes back to a customer, when they open that second, third or fourth box, I want them to be reminded again and again that their business is appreciated and valued.” Minuteman Press also uses proprietary FLEX software that helps Diana keep track of her marketing efforts. “I am staying 4 to 6 weeks ahead on sending out reminder emails and USPS mailers reminding the customer it is time to work on their project. Every day, I look at the different marketing opportunities available in FLEX and act on them. I also look ahead to future opportunities. For example, I am in the process of sending out mail with offers for relevant businesses looking to promote themselves during the upcoming tax season.” What keeps customers coming back to Diana and her team at Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis is their complete positive customer experience. “Every time a client comes to our center, we want them to feel comfortable and appreciated. We offer them coffee or water bottles and a free donut coupon for the donut shop next door to us.” The little things add up to make a big difference, and Diana sees that clearly. “Many years ago, I was the inspiration behind a national campaign. It was called the Celebrate Every Day Campaign. I find something to celebrate about every single day. Sometimes it’s grand, and sometimes it’s small. It is a mindset and just a real nice way to live. It has helped me tremendously as I manage my business during this global pandemic.” From Employee to Minuteman Press Franchisee Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Diana worked in various business and management roles around the printing industry for 33 years. “I worked for several companies and wore many hats. I’ve done everything from graphic design and printing to on site management. Most recently, I worked as On Site Manager at the Kroger Central Division Office in Indianapolis where I tripled my team and made the Division cost-efficient. I did hundreds of thousands of printing per month, along with producing anything else that was requested.” Why Minuteman Press? Diana answers, “I liked the idea that Minuteman Press had already created a plan for success and I liked their plan. I also liked knowing that the FLEX software that Minuteman Press created and used would do everything from bringing me new potential customers daily to predicting reorders, quoting, creating work orders, invoices, and exporting accounting data directly into QuickBooks.” She continues, “Minuteman Press has done exactly what they said they would do as far as support. Someone is only a call, text or email away when I have had any questions. I have all of the freedoms of running my own business but I when I need support they are right there for me every time.” “Diana Renollet is a tremendous asset to her business community and to the Minuteman Press family. She truly cares about her clients and I am proud of her hard work in building her business in East Indianapolis. Diana follows the Minuteman Press franchise system and communicates effectively. I look forward to continuing to work with her and provide local support to her business.” -Steve Szymanski, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Midwest Meet the Family Behind the Business When Diana made the decision to follow her dream, she knew she could count on her family to support her. She says, “My husband Brian is my best friend and my rock. He supported my decision to become part of the Minuteman Press franchise family from the first day I mentioned it until the day we signed the papers. Although he has maintained his current career path, he is a huge part of helping me run this business. Our wedding song was ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen and I am so happy to take this new journey in my career with him.” She also credits her father as being instrumental in giving her the confidence to transition from her career to entrepreneurship. “My dad has been my go-to person and was really instrumental in making me realize this dream. Other than my husband, my dad was the only person who knew I was looking to take this leap. We talk every single day after work and he loves hearing what orders we received and how everything is going. He is so excited I am doing this and he is the one who taught me the value of hard work. My dad is truly a wonderful man.” It is clearly evident that family means everything to Diana. “My husband and I have 4 children from our previous marriages. Our oldest daughter is 30 and she has been in the medical field for the past 7 years. She has currently reenrolled in college to pursue a teaching degree and she is a wonderful mother to 3 of our grandchildren. Our twin daughters are 27, one is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. She is finishing her commitment soon and enrolled in college to pursue a degree in Nursing. Twin #2 works alongside her mother in a medical environment and she is a loving mother to our youngest grandchild. Our son is the youngest at 25. He is a Marine Veteran and Active Guardsman. He also works full-time and is also enrolled in college pursuing a cybersecurity degree. My parents also celebrated 62 years of marriage this past November.” She adds, “My husband and I look forward to weekend mornings where we try to get the kids and grandkids to come over for long breakfasts around the family kitchen table. We also enjoy spending time together laughing and enjoying life.” Advice for Others Diana has a fascinating perspective to share as someone who is realizing her dream of owning her own business at such a unique time. When asked for advice she would give to others who are looking to own a business, she says, “Prepare yourself for the opportunity and be ready. Don’t limit your thinking and allow yourself to dream, then do your research. Owning this center was my dream, and because I had done my homework, I was ready when the opportunity came.” She adds, “Stay accountable to your goals and your dream can come true. I am living proof of that.” For more information on Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis, visit https://indyeast.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 16, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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