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Family Gift Guide for the 2021 Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/HDSa4Jb_slc A new survey finds holiday shoppers are planning to spend upwards to $250 per family member this season. Lifestyle Expert, Bethany Braun-Silva has compiled a few family-focused gift ideas sure to satisfy those loved ones who’ve been on the good list this past year. GO BACK TO THE MOVIES: Reports indicate retailers are facing empty shelves this holiday season. Braun-Silva says there are ways around this problem for the average consumer, adding, “There is good news and the outlook for the holiday season is bright. First, families are looking to reunite and connect for the holidays. Second, they’re looking for fun things to do — together.” The lifestyle expert points to giving the gift of experiences as her first tip. “Who hasn’t missed going to the movies,” she asks while reflecting on the immersive, cinematic experience theatres provide with their big screens, booming surround sound and warm, irresistible movie theatre popcorn. “I recommend giving the gift of Cinemark Movie Club, a monthly in-theatre membership program that gets you free tickets, exclusive discounts, and more at all Cinemark theatres across the U.S.,” says Braun-Silva. She adds that holiday shoppers can easily buy a stress-free 12-month gift membership for $99 which comes with 12 movie tickets, 20% off concessions, waived online fees, and additional discounts! The average Movie Club member saves over $100 per year with a Movie Club membership. Braun-Silva says it’s the perfect gift for families because the whole family can benefit from the membership. As monthly ticket credits roll over to the next month if unused, members can save them up to take the whole family, waive the online ticketing fee when booking their tickets in advance and save 20% on everyone’s concessions. Moviegoers can experience all the fun with great family films coming to theatres, including Encanto, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sing 2 and others. For more, go to cinemark.com/movieclubgift. Social media handles: @Cinemark FUN IN THE SUN: Braun-Silva says don’t be afraid to gift big, saying, “Just imagine the faces of your loved ones when they find out you’ve gifted them a trip to Florida.” VISIT FLORIDA is inviting travelers to gift a heartwarming trip to the Sunshine State — from relaxing beach getaways, family fun at iconic theme parks, to outdoor adventure and unique wildlife encounters. Giving a Florida vacation experience removes the stress of holiday shopping, and to make this even easier, Braun-Silver says VISIT FLORIDA has partnered with Expedia to offer up to 20% off overnight bookings at select hotels throughout the state. This includes the Melia Orlando Celebration - 30% off Family Suite, The Southernmost Beach Resort in Key West - 20% off all rooms, Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy in Bradenton, where the Golf Club features an 18-hole championship golf course, and many others. To give the ultimate Florida vacation experience this holiday season, head to Expedia.com/GiveFlorida. https://www.Expedia.com/GiveFlorida Social media handles: @VISITFLORIDA HOP ON THE WAGON: Families are planning to get out and about this holiday season and into the New Year. As a mom of two boys, Braun-Silva admits that she knows the ins and outs of traveling with children. Enjoying the journey as a family starts with the right transportation. The lifestyle expert recommends the Wonderfold W4 Elite, adding, “It’s the perfect carrier for kids. Babies and toddlers love strolling around in the WONDERFOLD Multi-Function Wagon. They’re secured in a 5-point harness and covered by a UV protected canopy. With high face to face seats with footrests, this stroller wagon makes it easy to take the entire family to the park, beach, campsite, and more!” The wagon’s user-friendly design is easily foldable with minimal assembly required. The one-step folding design allows you to fold and store it in seconds. Its adjustable push handle can be customized to accommodate different heights and needs. Another aspect that Braun-Silva loves is that it’s multifunctional, pointing out that after the kids have outgrown the stroller, the seats can be removed to transform it into a utility wagon — perfect for sports equipment, camping gear, luggage, and so much more! This brand is available on Wonderfoldwagon.com, Amazon, and other retailers. https://www.wonderfoldwagon.com/ Facebook: @ wonderfoldfam Instagram: @ wonderfoldwagon TikTok: @ wonderfoldwagon 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

December 03, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Holiday Hosting Made Simple

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/HPGLegjpG08 This year more than 53-million people are expected to head out and spend time with friends and family. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn shares her tips for those taking on the hosting gig and setting the scene for all the fun, food, and festivities. PLAN THE MENU AHEAD OF TIME: As restrictions continue to lift, many Americans are catching up in person with extended family and friends. Syn admits hosting can feel stressful at times, especially after close to two years off, saying, “That’s why I recommend planning the menu ahead of time, including main dishes, drinks, desserts, and the overall presentation.” The Registered Dietician Nutritionist suggests kicking things off with an overflowing charcuterie board filled with a mixture of colors, textures, and flavors, including a variety of cheeses, meats, and lots of veggies. Syn says to make sure to include almonds, adding, “One of my favorites is Blue Diamond’s Wasabi & Soy Sauce Almonds. They have a kick and a salty, sweet finish. I also like the Honey Roasted Almonds for a sweet flavor with a hint of salt.” She also points to one holiday staple that helps make every gathering a success — eggnog. One brand she turns to is Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog, calling it the perfect dairy-free version of the classic holiday beverage with the same creamy taste of traditional eggnog. “Having a few cartons of Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog on hand will make holiday entertaining a breeze,” says Syn. These products are available at grocery stores nationwide. Consumers can also use Blue Diamond’s product locator tool to find a nearby store. https://www.bluediamond.com/ Facebook: @BlueDiamondAlmonds / @AlmondBreeze Instagram: @bluediamond / @almondbreeze Twitter: @bluediamond / @almondbreeze KEEP DESSERTS TOP OF MIND: A menu would not be complete without dessert. It may be a surprise, but Syn is a self-proclaimed “desserts girl,” saying, “They might show up last on the menu, but they’re always top of my mind.” Pies are synonymous with the holiday season, whether apple, pecan, or pumpkin, and she turns to one brand to top them with added flavor. “Reddi-wip is a delicious whipped topping to have on hand for all of your favorite desserts. What you might not know is that there are a variety of options for various tastes and dietary preferences, all with creamy, tasty flavor,” adds Syn. As a dietitian, she really likes Reddi-wip Zero Sugar. It’s a great option for anyone hosting keto-friendly guests or those wanting to cut back on added sugar. It’s made with real cream and has 0 grams of sugar per-serving. Syn also turns to the brands vegan or dairy-free options. Reddi-wip offers two non-dairy varieties in coconut and almond. Both have the creaminess without the added dairy. Shoppers can find Reddi-wip at retailers nationwide. https://www.reddiwip.com/ Facebook: @ReddiWip Instagram: @Reddiwip Twitter: @RealReddiWip STOP DOING DISHES: The Registered Dietician Nutritionist, says that planning the food, fun and festivities can be exciting, but the cleanup is often taxing and requires a lot of time. She says her final holiday hosting tip is sure to shock. “Stop doing dishes! No one likes it, and it takes time away from being with your family and friends. Instead enjoy the holiday experience,” she adds. This time of year is often busy and should be spent on special traditions, making new memories, and being with the ones you love. Syn says The Chinet® brand can help make cleanup easier so partygoers can spend more time with your family. The Chinet Classic® products are made for what’s on your menu — whether main dishes, like a roast turkey, prime rib roast, or an old-fashioned ham with brown sugar and mustard glaze, or the Chinet Crystal® products, that add a fancy touch to meals, perfect for a pork tenderloin, seared duck or scallops, or lamb with garlic and rosemary. The best part, adds Syn, “The Chinet brand helps remove all the hassle of cleanup. When you’re done eating dinner or dessert, you throw everything away and have all that extra time for family fun.” For more information, go to mychinet.com. Facebook: Facebook.com/mychinet Instagram: Instagram.com/mychinet Twitter: Twitter.com/mychinet 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

December 03, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

How to Figure Out Medicare and Choose the Right Plan

YourUpdateTV

Choosing a Medicare plan can feel overwhelming. Ten thousand baby boomers age into Medicare everyday with questions about getting the right, affordable healthcare coverage and finding a Medicare plan that fits their needs. Recently, Keira Krausz, the Chief Marketing Officer at ClearMatch™ Medicare, part of HealthPlanOne, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to share tips on how to make this year’s Medicare enrollment less confusing. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/58vAvLAhVyIQ For nearly 63 million Medicare beneficiaries or individuals turning 65 who need affordable health plan coverage, Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is here, and it will end in December 7 th. Choosing a Medicare plan can feel overwhelming. According to a recent survey, 58 percent of Medicare members say they don’t look forward to reviewing their Medicare plan, with 23 percent of people sharing that reviewing their plan is as delightful as having a colonoscopy. In 2019, 71 percent of Medicare beneficiaries said they didn’t compare plans during the open enrollment period, according to a Kaiser study published last month. Not comparing plans is a missed opportunity – because each year plans and benefits change – it’s important for individuals to compare their options, and a broker like ClearMatch™ Medicare can easily provide you a simple comparison of best plans. ClearMatch™ Medicare is committed to “de-complexify” Medicare for customers across the country. They match each customer with the right plan at the right place to deliver better health and peace of mind. The company can support customers throughout their Medicare journey, with a focus on the long-term. ClearMatch agents guide customers at every step of the way, from identifying and enrolling in a plan to reviewing coverage each year to make sure customers get all the benefits they deserve. To learn more about this year’s Medicare’s Annual Enrollment period and ClearMatch™ Medicare, go to: clearmatchmedicare.com About Keira Krausz: An award-winning Direct-to-Consumer marketer, Krausz has spent her career focused on the melding of data-driven analytics and compelling creative. Krausz led the launch of the ClearMatch™ Medicare brand. The brand’s purpose is to match each customer with a Medicare plan that delivers the benefits the customer is entitled to, to support better health and deliver peace of mind. The company expects potential customers will benefit from its digital content and then leverage a hybrid approach – an ecommerce platform plus a licensed ClearMatch™ Medicare insurance agent – to gain a solid understanding of options and enroll in a plan. ClearMatch™ Medicare agents, supported by the company, then will build a long-term relationship with each customer to ensure satisfaction. From 2013-2018 Krausz was the CMO and EVP of Nutrisystem, Inc., where her team reversed a seven-year decline and returned the company to sustained growth, to nearly double revenue and quadruple EBITDA. Prior to Nutrisystem, Krausz held leadership positions at Time Inc. and the Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. Krausz attended Cornell University as an undergraduate and has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. 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

December 03, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Fuel Change with Your Choice at the Pump

YourUpdateTV

When it comes to saving the environment, small changes can make a big impact. Using more biofuels is a simple change that can change everything. It not only benefits the earth but also saves you money at the pump. Recently, Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to talk about the benefits of biofuels. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/baI4YTFNrjY With gas prices on the rise and holiday travel around the corner, drivers across America are looking for every opportunity to save money at the fuel pump. Many consumers today are also looking for ways that they can make a positive impact on the environment – and selecting fuel blended with biofuels, like plant-based ethanol, is a simple change anyone can make to benefit the earth. Ethanol is a simple solution toward a greener today that also provides families with the best value at the pump. Drivers with cars made in the last twenty years can see even greater savings with higher blends of ethanol like E15 – a 15% ethanol blend, also known to consumers at the pump as Unleaded88. Across the 30 states where Unleaded88 is available, it consistently sells on average up 10 cents below the price for regular gasoline – even amid this current fuel crisis. Biofuels like plant-based ethanol can reduce carbon emissions by 46% compared to traditional gasoline. And if all American drivers switched from Unleaded87 (E10) to Unleaded88 (E15), that would save consumers even more --to the tune of $12.2 billion annually in fuel costs – while reducing carbon emissions equivalent to removing nearly 4 million cars off the road each year. If you’re ready to make a simple choice toward cleaner air and more savings in your pocket, visit GetBiofuel.com or use GasBuddy to find your nearest Unleaded 88 location. About Emily Skor: Emily Skor joined Growth Energy as CEO in May 2016. She leads the country’s premiere ethanol trade association, representing 91 producers, 92 innovative businesses that support biofuel production, and ethanol supporters around the country who work to bring consumers cleaner and more affordable fuel choices at the pump. 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

December 03, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

COMCAST'S INTERNET ESSENTIALS PROGRAM AND SERJOBS ANNOUNCE TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING PARTNERSHIP AND $30,000 DONATION

Comcast Houston

Comcast's Internet Essentials program today announced the award of a $30,000 financial grant and donated 1,000 laptops to SERJobs, whose mission is to help individuals from low-income communities transform their lives through education training, employment, and financial empowerment services. The grant and donation are part of a new partnership to fund technical skills training and readiness certifications for clients of SERJobs. This program will offer digital skills training opportunities, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel and professional development. “SERJobs is excited to celebrate 10 years of Comcast's Internet Essentials program,” said Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO, SERJobs. “The Workforce Development Rally highlights the importance of digital literacy in our increasingly virtual world—especially as technology and the needs of our economy evolve. We are grateful to Comcast for their ongoing partnership and support of SERJobs’ and our members.” The announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities; and coincides with the 10th anniversary of its Internet Essentials program, which has connected a cumulative total of more than 10 million people to the Internet at home – most for the very first time. Comcast’s expanded eligibility for Internet Essentials, now including all Federal Pell Grant recipients within its service area, will enable even more students to stay connected as they continue to pursue degrees at colleges, universities, and technical schools. “Ten years is a remarkable milestone, signifying an extraordinary amount of work and collaboration with our incredible community partners across Houston,” said Toni Beck, Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast Houston. “Together, we have connected hundreds of thousands of people to the power of the Internet at home, and to the endless opportunity, education, growth, and discovery it provides. Our work is not done, and we are excited to partner with SERJobs to ensure the next generation of leaders in Houston are equipped with the technical training they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.” Comcast’s top priorities are connecting people to the Internet at home, equipping safe spaces with free WiFi and working with a robust network of nonprofit community organizations, city leaders, and business partners to create opportunities for low-income Americans. As the nation’s largest internet provider, Comcast supports cooperation between communities, businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance digital equity. Comcast’s $1 billion commitment will include investments in several critical areas, including: additional support for the Lift Zone initiative, which establishes free WiFi access in 50 community centers in Houston, and 1,000+ community centers nationwide, for students and adults by the end of 2021; new laptop and computer donations; over $100,000 in digital equity grants for local Houston nonprofit community organizations to create opportunities for low-income Houstonians – particularly in media, technology, and entrepreneurship; and continued investment in the company’s landmark Internet Essentials program. Project UP & Comcast’s $1 Billion Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity: For over a decade, connecting more people to the Internet and the technology they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world has been a core focus for the company. Looking toward the next ten years, Comcast is building on that foundation and expanding its impact through Project UP, a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. For more information on Project UP and the latest news on efforts to address digital inequities visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, Peacock, NBC News, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About SERJobs: SERJobs Houston, a regional affiliate of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc., is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals to transform their lives through education, training, employment, and financial empowerment services. Founded in 1965 as a volunteer job bank for Hispanic veterans, SERJobs has evolved, and now operates offices in Houston, Galveston and Fort Bend. SERJobs serves individuals in 13 Texas counties and assists more than 4,000 members access better opportunities every year. For more information, visit serjobs.org Contact Details Comcast Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Foti_Kallergis@comcast.com SERJobs Christi Vasquez +1 832-890-3606 Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

December 02, 2021 09:01 AM Central Standard Time

Goodway Group Promotes Susan Kirksey to VP of Media Solutions; Amanda Martin to lead Centers of Excellence as SVP, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships

Goodway Group

Goodway Group, the digital partner advertisers trust to deliver campaign performance and media efficiency, announced today the appointment of Susan Kirksey to Vice President of Media Solutions following two and half years serving as Media Center of Excellence Director. Amid her promotion, Amanda Martin will expand her role within the senior leadership team as SVP, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships, to bring the company’s expertise and partnerships into alignment through the agency’s innovative Centers of Excellence. Established in October 2019, Goodway Group’s Center of Excellence aims to standardize best practices and benchmarks across the agency to deliver clients world-class performance and value. Unlike other organizations, Goodway Group’s Center of Excellence consists of four unique Centers focused on specific disciplines such as Programmatic, Search, Social, and Ad Operations. Cross-channel integration is the key to successful media strategy and execution for sophisticated brands looking to create a personalized experience that customers expect across the buyer’s journey. Knowing media strategy cannot live in silos by channel, it was imperative that the Centers of Excellence be connected. Each Center is helmed by an expert in the field to outline best practices, steer innovation, maintain the highest quality standards and drive media efficiencies throughout the company. Since launching, the Center of Excellence has provided significant value to Goodway Group and its clients, establishing formal standards and commitments, and ensuring 100% of standards are met. “There is a common belief that if you only focus on one practice area you are a better expert in that field. Through the Center of Excellence, we have found an innovative way to bring that niche level of excellence into an agency with varying areas of expertise to deliver superior performance that is multi-faceted,” said Jay Friedman, President, Goodway Group. “I am thrilled to see Susan and Amanda step into these new roles that will take Goodway Group’s expertise to the next level and drive media buying and strategy excellence for our valued clients.” Traditionally developing and launching a single Center of Excellence takes three or more years, however, Goodway Group’s first Center was developed in six months. Having demonstrated a clear return-on-investment early on, Kirksey replicated the model to enhance the agency’s expertise in key focus areas including Programmatic, Search, Social, and Ad Operations. As a result, Goodway Group is able to deliver enhanced services and results to brands and partners that far outperform industry benchmarks. In her new role as VP of Media Solutions, Kirksey will leverage her experience founding Goodway Group’s Centers of Excellence to guide Goodway Group’s approach to media investment, activation, execution, optimization, and performance, as well as ensure the media solutions team delivers results that provide a tangible return on investment for clients. “It has truly been a pleasure bringing our vision for the Center of Excellence to life over the last two years to exemplify Goodway Group’s commitment to quality, exceptional standards, and thought leadership,” said Susan Kirksey, VP Media Solutions at Goodway Group. “In a short period of time, we’ve been able to significantly elevate our digital media performance for our valued clients. I’m excited to step into this new role, expanding my focus to driving excellence across all of the agency’s media solutions efforts.” In an expanded role, Amanda Martin as SVP, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships will bring the Centers of Excellence and Partnership teams together, and the agency’s learning and development, innovation, and partnerships under one umbrella to directly inform the agency’s client work. Previously, Amanda led the partnership team often working in collaboration with the Centers of Excellence to pursue new partnership opportunities. In her role, she drove industry innovation, thought leadership, and enterprise relationships including establishing industry-leading supply path optimization (SPO) and a partnership with PubMatic. Now, she gains the means to not only craft new and compelling ideas around the agency’s partnerships, but also a team dedicated to supporting her in guiding those ideas from concept to reality. “Working with the Centers of Excellence has enabled Goodway Group to explore creative, new agency partnerships,” said Amanda Martin, SVP, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships at Goodway Group. “These partnerships bring our clients unique and dedicated attention and recommendations for their campaigns and in much less time than they would receive elsewhere. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish as we bring the teams together to create advancement and bring partnership into alignment.” About Goodway Group Goodway Group is the digital partner advertisers trust to drive campaign performance and media efficiency. Proud to be completely independently owned and operated, Goodway provides trustworthy expertise that meets its clients’ needs – and no one else’s. Using predictive intelligence, Goodway helps advertisers get the most value out of every impression across all paid digital media. Through the combination of employing the smartest technology and the most experienced people in the industry, Goodway delivers authentic results. Find Goodway Group online at goodwaygroup.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Patrice Gamble +1 603-235-6530 goodway@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.goodwaygroup.com/

December 02, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Oprah’s Favorite Things with Gayle King and Adam Glassman

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/5zdxoXdJxYg 2021 marks the 25 th anniversary of Oprah’s Favorite Things and Gayle King, co-host of " CBS Mornings " and editor-at-large of Oprah Daily and Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah Daily conducted a nationwide media tour to discuss highlights from this year’s list. Spotlighting small businesses and the inspiring stories of the owners behind the products has been part of the mission of Oprah’s Favorite Things from the very start. This is the biggest list ever with 110 items and most of the items selected are from small businesses, women-owned brands or companies owned by people of color. Some of the highlights include: Rebel Girls Books, Crayon Case Notepad iShadow Palettes, Fab Fête White Corn & Truffle Cheese Soufflé, Henry Masks and Oprah’s The Life You Want Planner. Part weekly planner, part intention journal, this beautiful book created by the Oprah Daily editors and Oprah will inspire you to make self-reflection and setting intentions a daily practice—and help you answer the ultimate question, “How do I become more of me?” Starting in January 2022, Oprah will host monthly livestream events exclusively for Oprah Daily Insiders to guide us through each of these topics. We’ll have surrounding content and conversation on OprahDaily.com every single day to support your journey. Oprah Daily Insiders receive unlimited access to OprahDaily.com, as well as special deals and discounts on Oprah-related events, access to their favorite stories and interviews from the magazine archives of O, The Oprah Magazine, and the chance to connect with other readers. Access to the membership program is $50, which also includes a subscription to the new O Quarterly. We have more fun surprises planned in the coming months so head to OprahDaily.com to join now or become an Oprah Daily Insider here. You can pick up the Winter Issue of O Quarterly featuring Oprah’s Favorite Things on newsstands now or head to OprahDaily.com to sign up to be an Oprah Daily Insider or shop the list on Oprah Daily and Amazon. To see the full list of items please visit https://www.oprahdaily.com/oprah-favorite-things-2021. For more information, visit oprahdaily.com/oprah-favorite-things-2021 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. About Oprah Daily: Building on the mission and legacy of O, The Oprah Magazine — which for two decades guided its loyal audience toward living their best lives — Oprah Winfrey and Hearst Magazines introduced Oprah Daily, which includes OprahDaily.com, a new destination with thoughtful digital storytelling; O Quarterly, a new print edition that will publish four times a year; and Oprah Daily Insider, a special membership-only community, where readers can connect live with Oprah other O personalities, including Editor-at-Large Gayle King, Creative Director Adam Glassman and more. Follow Oprah Daily on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

December 01, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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UK SMEs forge ahead with cautious optimism as post-pandemic business confidence grows

Stockwood Strategy

Despite lingering anxieties about the pandemic and a variety of economic and commercial issues, the majority of SMEs believe it is now imperative to begin building back from the crisis. They are ready to step up their business investment, with ambitious plans for recruitment, renewal of equipment and machinery, and both domestic and international expansion. Fintech business lender MarketFinance asked 2,000 SME owners across the UK about their outlook for 2022 and beyond, gauging their short and long-term plans for business investment and growth. MarketFinance has today released a comprehensive research report of its findings. Confidence Analysis of the survey results has shown that business confidence amongst SMEs is improving, with many firms now focused on recovery and growth. With pandemic disruptions now largely settled, half of SMEs (48%) expect their turnover to stabilise or to increase over the next 12 months. Similarly, 50% of SMEs expect demand for their products or services to stabilise or to increase over the next six months. MarketFinance’s research has found that the majority of SMEs (63%) expect their business to grow over the next three years Investment With survival mode no longer a necessity and cash flow pressures beginning to ease, the vast majority of SMEs (70%) now feel confident enough to increase business investment over the next 12 months. A quarter of SMEs plan to hire new staff, while 24% expect to purchase new equipment and machinery. When asked how they were factoring borrowing into their investment plans, 23% of SMEs said access to a broader range of borrowing options could enable them to increase investment even further. Borrowing The research findings demonstrate that borrowing will play a key role in recovery and growth with 62% of SMEs saying that prudent borrowing could help them fund growth. However, three quarters (71%) of SMEs do not believe traditional banking products are the most obvious and convenient way to borrow for investment. Despite this lack of alignment between current finance needs and the options available through traditional routes, more than a third of SMEs (37%) are looking to take on new borrowing facilities. Growth With confidence high and a sense of having moved beyond recovery and into a new stage of growth, many businesses are looking forward to seizing a host of opportunities in 2022. Almost all SMEs surveyed (81%) plan to invest in sustainability, while 30% say they are considering merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the year ahead – more than twice as many as those primarily focusing on organic growth (14%). Over a third of businesses (34%) say they already sell overseas, or have plans to begin doing so. That figure is highest amongst the largest businesses surveyed (turnover between £5m and £6.5m) but even amongst smaller enterprises significant numbers are focused on export. Anil Stocker, CEO at MarketFinance, commented: “ It’s clear that the business environment has shifted and SMEs are looking ahead with a quietly confident and cautiously optimistic view. UK businesses intend to ramp up growth through domestic and international expansion, digital transformation and even M&A activity. But as they reset their post-pandemic goals for a post-pandemic, they’ll need to be confident of their funding base. Given that so many SMEs are looking outside of traditional routes in their search for finance, we’re particularly proud to have been accredited by the British Business Bank as one of the few alternative providers under The Recovery Loan Scheme. Schemes like the RLS are a golden opportunity for SMEs looking to gear up for growth, providing easily accessible funding at a lower cost across a wide range of products. We expect to see a large number of SMEs taking advantage of the scheme over the next 6 months as their growth and expansion efforts gain momentum and they invest in ambitious plans for 2022 and beyond.” About MarketFinance MarketFinance is a fintech business lender which believes that SMEs are building the world. By making finance frictionless, they’re solving the cash flow issues getting in the way of progress. MarketFinance uses smart technology to deliver better access to faster, more affordable finance; with one-to-one help whenever businesses need it. Since 2011, MarketFinance has advanced over £2.6 billion worth of invoices and loans, enabling thousands of UK businesses to bridge today’s funding gaps and fuel tomorrow’s big ambitions. MarketFinance is an accredited Recover Loan Scheme lender and has a wide-reaching network of strategic partners including Barclays Bank UK PLC, Tide, Equals Group and Ebury. MarketFinance is backed by Barclays Bank UK PLC, Mouro Capital, Paul Forster (co-founder of Indeed.com) European venture capital fund Northzone (invested in Klarna, iZettle and Trustpilot), Viola Capital and private equity group MCI Capital (also invested in iZettle, Azimo and Gett). Further information visit: www.marketfinance.com Contact Details MarketFinance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://marketfinance.com/

December 01, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Paralyzed Veterans of America says air travel often dangerous and inhumane for people with disabilities

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Uhqo8SsWXIM As the busiest travel season of the year kicks off, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is sounding the alarm about serious issues people with disabilities still face when traveling by plane. Broken wheelchairs, injuries from improper transfers to and from airline seats, and no access to in-flight restrooms are common problems paralyzed veterans, and others with disabilities, routinely experience when flying. Air travel remains decades behind public spaces on land, even 35 years after the Air Carrier Access Act mandated changes. PVA has been fighting for accessibility for all people with disabilities for 75 years and is asking the public to help push for change. On November 17, in conjunction with YourUpdate TV, Charles Brown, the national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America conducted a nationwide media tour to address these issues. Charles was critically injured two years ago after improperly trained airline personnel dropped him onto the jetbridge during a transfer from his wheelchair to an aisle chair to board the plane. The fall broke his tailbone and caused an infection that he barely survived. He spent months in the hospital recovering. Charles says he and other paralyzed veterans frequently experience horrendous conditions when they fly. “It is unacceptable that 35 years after the legislation was passed, someone in a wheelchair still can’t access a bathroom on an airplane and risks serious injury or death because airline personnel are not properly trained,” said Brown. “These are basic safety and civil rights issues, and every American should be outraged.” Accessibility issues affect 65 million Americans with disabilities, which could include someone in your family now or in the future, and this number will grow as the population ages. To learn more about accessible travel and to support PVA’s fight, visit pva.org/travel. About Paralyzed Veterans of America: For 75 years, Paralyzed Veterans of America has been the only Veterans service organization dedicated solely to helping Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), and diseases like MS and ALS. Our team of legislative advocates, architects, medical professionals, lawyers and other highly trained professionals strive to ensure that every Veteran regains the freedom, independence and quality of life they fought for. PVA is a major support system for our nation’s paralyzed heroes, their families and caregivers, ensuring quality healthcare, securing earned benefits, fighting for disability civil rights, making America more accessible, helping Veterans find meaningful careers, empowering them through sports, recreation and wellness programs, and funding both research and education in search for a cure and improved care and autonomy for individuals with paralysis. Operating more than 70 offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, PVA helps paralyzed Veterans and all people with disabilities live fuller, more productive lives. 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

November 30, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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