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B Code Releases New Report, Examines Black Audiences Expectations from Digital Advertising Following a Tumultuous Year

B Code

B Code, a digital media company focused on helping brands and advertisers connect with Black audiences at scale across the digital landscape, today released the Black Attitudes Towards Digital Advertising report, which examines Black consumers’ thoughts towards digital advertising, including preferred channels, content, ad types and more. Over the past year, concerns surrounding underrepresentation and lack of diversity in media were brought front and center alongside the demand for Black voices to be heard and amplified. Since then advertisers have been reassessing how their efforts resonate with and support the Black community. This spurred the development of this B Code study which can be used as a resource to help advertisers understand how Black audiences are responding to different channels, content and ad formats. The Black and African-American population stays connected, is innovative and brand loyal, making them a highly valued audience to brands within the digital landscape. This community accounts for 13% of all U.S. population and 88% of African Americans age 25 and older hold a high school diploma or higher as recorded in 2019. Their spending power is also incredibly strong at $1.4T as of 2019, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth, and projected to grow to $1.8T by 2024. “To help close the gap between Black consumers and brands, advertisers must work from the ground up to tailor genuine and respectful messaging that effectively reaches and connects with Black audiences,” says Damian Benders, General Manager of B Code. “With B Code’s new study, we aim to help marketing professionals supplement the work they are doing with relevant creative with information on how to effectively push their messages across digital formats. We need to take advantage of these insights in every step of executing media strategies.” The Black Attitudes Towards Digital Advertising report uses proprietary data collected from the B Code Intelligence Center, which routinely surveys a large panel of Black consumers across target demographics. 568 Black respondents were surveyed from March 17 through March 22, 2021, and they are representative of all main geographical areas of the United States. The report is the second major study released by B Code following the announcement of its inception in June, 2021. Topline insights from the report include the following: Digital Ad Formats & Preferences The Black community is an evolving audience that is eager to stay up-to-date in the tech and the advertising world. While 54% of respondents say they are already likely to click on a digital ad, they are interested in seeing advancements in the ad space, with 45% demonstrating their interest in wanting to see more interactive video ads and other innovative models. Additionally, based on their personal digital behavior, Black audiences are most likely to see an ad on digital apps (72%) and social media (70%). Ad Effectiveness For advertising to connect effectively with the Black consumer, the content must not only be relevant to the reader, but it must also be relevant to the content they often find themselves around. 43% of respondents mentioned that a culturally relevant ad will be most effective in a culturally relevant website, rather than a general one, signaling the need for dedicated spaces in advertising. Also, 53% say an ad that is relevant to them personally will make them more likely to engage which is an indication that there is tolerance for even more personalization. In order for ads to be relevant to consumers, appropriate targeting must be a priority for advertisers. Black audiences are sensitive to their online privacy, with 54% stating that their identity should be protected online at all times and 49% support limiting or eliminating cookies as it will prevent personal information from being shared. Consistent with established best practices, survey respondents mostly prefer ads positioned at the beginning (42%) and at the middle (43%) of the content they are experiencing. Culture & Representation When targeting Black audiences, advertisers must ensure they are considering the ad content decisions that resonate most. Leveraging talent that reflects the diversity of the Black community and leaning into this audience’s desire to see their real stories highlighted will reap rewards be most impactful. Respondents said that an ad would grab their attention if it represented people like them (76%), featured stories of real people that are from the same ethnic/racial group (64%), and included music or other art that related to their ethnic/racial group (50%). Brand endorsements must also include culturally representative elements, with respondents saying they are more likely to pay attention to an ad if it features a Celebrity (67%) or influencer (65%) from their ethnic/racial group. To download the B Code Black Attitudes Towards Digital Advertising report, visit: https://www.bcodemedia.com/black-attitudes-towards-digital-ads About B Code B Code is a data-backed digital media entity focused on understanding Black audiences in order to authentically reach, inform and connect with them in the digital spaces they embrace most. At B Code, our mission is to empower brands with the right tools and resources to deliver meaningful and culturally-nuanced messaging for Black audiences, backed by proprietary data intelligence. Our marketing expertise, innovation, and resources make B Code one of few digital media agencies that can provide it all: Media, Creative, and Data Sourcing. Through the B Code publisher network, we aim to provide digital publishers with growth opportunities and access to increased ad revenue in order to dismantle investment disparities. Our overall insights-driven approach provides a constant pulse on ever-changing Black American sentiments, preferences, and habits. Contact Details North 6th Agency for B Code Paolo Ramos hcode@n6a.com Company Website https://www.bcodemedia.com/

October 19, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ElementalTV Surpasses 1B+ CTV Ad Impressions in First Year of Business; Company Debuts ELM, a New Proprietary CTV Ad Platform, to Accelerate Expansion

ElementalTV

ElementalTV, an emerging media technology company and a division of Adoppler, has generated more than one billion connected TV (CTV) advanced ad impressions in its first year in the market, as the company pursues its mission to provide leading brands, advertisers and publishers with the tools necessary to unlock the full potential of the CTV ad experience. Today, ElementalTV immersive ad experiences reach 57% of CTV households in the U.S. and, after just one year of providing its proven CTV advertising solutions to some of the world’s top brands and content partners, ElementalTV is now debuting its new, proprietary Engagement Lift Media (ELM) platform to a wider marketplace. The ELM platform is the first and only fully vertically integrated platform, offering advanced ad decisioning, a demand-side platform (DSP), creative optimization, transcoding and stitching capabilities. This unified offering enables ElementalTV’s partners to deliver cost-effective, next generation CTV ad experiences, from localizing national video ad creatives via its innovative SmartFrame technology, to adding dynamic messaging within ad units, and contextual ad targeting. “CTV is the fastest growing medium today, but its ad experience is suboptimal,” says Omer Latif, CEO at ElementalTV. “We built our platform to reimagine the future of CTV advertising -- to create innovative and smart tech solutions for brands, to help publishers realize the full value of their content, and to pioneer a new and improved viewing experience for growing CTV audiences worldwide. Our approach is bold and breaks barriers. Through the ELM platform’s product suite, we enable our partners to leverage the addressability of digital to evolve audience engagement to a new standard.” The success over the past year and increasing demand for the new ELM platform are behind ElementalTV’s decision to accelerate the scaling of its business, including broadening its strategic partnership with top programmatic firm MPW Digital. The partnership with MPW Digital expands the company's efforts to introduce advertisers to the next generation of advanced CTV advertising capabilities and formats. “Our next phase of growth requires having the right partners who share our vision of being true pioneers and innovators in CTV advertising technology,” says Albert Yu, VP Analytics & Monetization at ElementalTV. “MPW Digital has been on this journey with us and we’re excited to have them play a critical role in our expansion.” “Over the past year we've seen ElementalTV’s ability to rapidly innovate and grow. It has been exciting to see their SmartFrame technology add value to advertisers' CTV campaigns,” says Marcus Weiss, COO at MPW Digital. “This is just the beginning and we’re looking forward to serving as a close extension of their team as they advance into the next phase of commercialization of ELM and continue to transform the CTV ad experience.” ElementalTV, a division of Adoppler, was started in 2020 to focus on technology solutions for CTV, creating breakthrough ad experiences for CTV audiences while delivering innovation and added value to advertisers and publishers. Today, through the ELM platform, ElementalTV is delivering more than 100 million advanced ad impressions per month. To learn more about ElementalTV and its solutions, visit www.elementaltv.com. About ElementalTV: Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Pasadena, CA, ElementalTV is pioneering the next generation of CTV ad innovation. ElementalTV pushes the boundaries of how technology can immerse an audience’s advertisement experience. Its proprietary vertically integrated platform, ELM, combines a wide range of capabilities including advanced ad decisioning, demand-side platform (DSP), creative optimization, transcoding, and stitching to allow for seamless, next generation ad experience. To learn more, visit elementaltv.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Angelina Kaliszak angelina@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.elementaltv.com/

October 19, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CSG Xponent Unleashes the Power to Create Extraordinary Customer Experiences for Leading Brands

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready, innovative solutions that drive extraordinary customer experiences and inspire loyalty. Today the company launched CSG Xponent™, a unified, cloud engagement hub that takes uninspired customer engagements and turns them into extraordinary customer experiences. By bringing together holistic customer data, industry-leading customer journey orchestration and analytics, proven omni-channel communications and an unmatched passion for customer experience excellence, Xponent enables leading brands to impact the entire customer lifecycle from awareness to purchase and long-term retention. With CSG Xponent, companies deliver personalized, predictive and proactive customer connections that drive better business outcomes, quicker time to value and lower risk. Winning through the creation of the absolute best customer experience (CX) is the optimal way to stand out in today’s highly commoditized world. Business leaders recognize the power of customer experience, journey mapping and customer data, but most struggle to bring it all together and take meaningful action. CSG Xponent delivers a differentiated experience that overcomes data silos and the complexity of disconnected assets with an end-to-end platform that taps into real-time customer interactions across all points in the customer lifecycle. The capabilities within the Xponent platform provide advanced CX analytics that uncover insights, which can be turned into actions that make a meaningful difference at every customer touchpoint. “Businesses have been building large data warehouses and mapping journeys for years and now they’re anxious to realize more tangible benefits from their investments,” said Alfred Binford, president of customer engagement for CSG. “The window of opportunity to wow your customers is fleeting and precious, which is why companies need their technology investments to deliver immediate results at every ‘moment of truth’ in the customer lifecycle. CSG Xponent powers brands to predict and create the customer’s best next action and drive ROI for the business.” With Xponent’s industry-leading approach, companies can: Harness the power of a single, unified hub to manage all aspects of customer experience and engage with consumers in real time via their channel of choice Optimize and complement their existing technology stack, avoiding the pains of infrastructure replacement Eradicate internal silos and take data from any source to inform a unified, 360-degree customer record at scale alongside real-time analytics that drive consumer actions, deliver tangible outcomes and inspire loyalty Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and real time interaction management (RTIM) to know their customers better than they know themselves, and determine and pursue the best next action that delivers impactful results Use preconfigured customer journeys and use cases, analytical models and packaged data libraries to hit the ground running from day one. With a robust library of customer journeys and use cases that produce tremendous results for market-leading firms, Xponent enables brands to boost customer acquisition and win in the battle for customer retention. “As companies strive to retain or reclaim customers post the pandemic, customer experience has emerged as the clear differentiator,” said to Alan Webber, program vice president, customer experience, IDC. “Product diversity and lower costs are no longer enough in this hyper competitive environment. Organizations that prioritize the customer’s experience and emotional response in their interactions have the advantage in winning and retaining the business. End-to-end technologies, which overcome customer data siloes, disparate solutions and unpredictable outcomes, are what the industry has been waiting for to truly capitalize on the potential of mastering customer experience.” In a world driven by consumers’ ever-increasing demand for improved experiences and value, the competitive stakes are high. CSG Xponent is today’s future-ready CX solution built on CSG’s nearly 40 years of trusted insight and knowledge. Xponent powers companies to get the outcomes they have been looking for with the only partner who has the executional expertise to guide them there, fearlessly. For more information on CSG Xponent, visit https://www.csgi.com/portfolio/csg-xponent/. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Tammy Hovey CSG +1 (917) 520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations CSG +1 (210) 687 4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

October 19, 2021 06:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Terra Wellington’s Fall Wellness Journey

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/6p0or23MAVA One of the busiest seasons is upon us. Between school activities, homework, and many people going back to the office—it’s sometimes hard to fit in personal care and extra family time. Terra Wellington is Editor in Chief of SimpleMomsGuide.com and has three wellness tips to help make the transition into fall a little smoother. SIMPLE PERSONAL CARE MATTERS: The fall ushers in cooler temperatures and a drop in humidity—leading to dry air and dry skin. That’s why Wellington suggests approaching skincare seasonally, including moisturizing your skin more often. She says, “It’s about giving yourself some simple personal care.” One product the lifestyle media personality recommends is Gold Bond Pure Moisture Daily Body and Face Lotion. It’s clinically shown to provide immediate hydration that lasts for 24 hours, while being ultra-lightweight and fast-absorbing, with 7 moisturizers and 3 vitamins, plus hyaluronic acid and grapeseed oil. This means it will help attract and retain moisture. The lotion is also free from parabens, dyes, and fragrances. Wellington says to use it daily to keep your skin looking healthy. For more information, go to goldbond.com. https://www.goldbond.com/en-us/products/pure-moisture-lotion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldbond/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldbond/ Hashtags: #SkinChampions #PureMoisture TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FALL HARVEST: Wellington’s fall wellness tips include taking advantage of fall-season produce, like butternut squash, pears, and grapes. She says it can be a money-saving move because it’s often on sale at local farmer’s markets. Whether eating your healthy harvest indoors or outdoors, Wellington recommends checking out Chinet. Her go-to’s include the brand’s disposable cutlery, cups, and plates made for every occasion. She says, “They can make your cleanup easier, especially if you’re outdoors. This gives you more time to enjoy your family.” “Chinet’s Crystal products provide a fancy touch to your meals,” says Wellington, adding, “Their comfort cups have lids to help avoid spills, especially if you’re on the go, which can make the journey more manageable.” The Classic line is made from 80% recycled material. For more information, go to mychinet.com. https://www.mychinet.com/products/ Instagram: Instagram.com/mychinet Facebook: Facebook.com/mychinet Twitter: Twitter.com/mychinet MAKE YOUR HEALTH TOP PRIORITY: Wellington says we may not be drinking as much water as we did in the summer, but it’s still very important to stay properly hydrated. In fact, studies have shown that drinking enough water can help reduce stress. “It can be as easy as having a glass of water nearby, you can take sips throughout the day,” says the media personality. Another fall wellness tip is to spend time outdoors—science shows that it is beneficial to a positive mindset and healthy body. “Being outdoors also provides opportunities to get in your exercise. You can hike, bike, or take a walk in your neighborhood,” says Wellington, “20 to 30 minutes is a good goal,” she adds. Her final tip is to get enough sleep. “Make sure you try to get at least seven to nine hours each night. Not only does sleep give you the proper amount of energy, but it also helps boost your immune system.” For more information, go to simplemomsguide.com. 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

October 18, 2021 09:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Living With Narcolepsy: Symptoms and Misconceptions

YourUpdateTV

Confusion, stereotypes, and stigma about the sleep disorder narcolepsy persist to this day. This can lead to a long time to diagnosis and prevent people who think they have narcolepsy from reaching out to a healthcare professional to learn more. So, what is narcolepsy? Narcolepsy is a rare, chronic, debilitating neurological disorder that affects the way the brain controls sleep-wake cycles. 1,2 Narcolepsy affects approximately 165,000 Americans, with one of its main symptoms being excessive daytime sleepiness, or the inability to stay awake and alert during the day. 1 Other symptoms may include cataplexy, which is the sudden and brief loss of muscle strength or tone brought on by certain emotions or situations, sleep paralysis, vivid hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up, and disturbed nighttime sleep. 3,4 Narcolepsy is estimated to be severely underdiagnosed. 5,6 It can take an average of 10 years for people living with narcolepsy to be diagnosed after experiencing their first symptoms. 5 Narcolepsy can disrupt everyday life, 1 but the symptoms of narcolepsy aren’t always obvious, and may be inaccurately attributed to other medical conditions. 3,7 Getting to know narcolepsy means recognizing the symptoms, understanding their impact, and finding resources and support to help manage the disorder. Dr. Michael J. Thorpy, a world-renowned sleep specialist and narcolepsy expert based in New York, New York, and Jessica, a person living with narcolepsy, conducted a nationwide media tour in conjunction with Your Update TV and Harmony Biosciences to help address misconceptions, learn more about the signs and symptoms, find out what it is like to live with narcolepsy, and discover resources to help those impacted. For more information visit: WWW.KNOWNARCOLEPSY.COM and WWW.KNOWNARCOLEPSY.COM/STORIES References: 1 National Institutes of Health. Narcolepsy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. May 2017. 2 Narcolepsy Fact Sheet. NIH Publication No. 17-1637. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Narcolepsy-Fact-Sheet. 3 American Academy of Sleep Medicine. International Classification of Sleep Disorders. 3rd ed.; 2014. 4 Silber MH, Krahn LE, Olson EJ, Pankratz VS. The epidemiology of narcolepsy in Olmsted County, Minnesota: a population-based study. Sleep. 2002;25(2):197-202. 5 Overeem, Sebastiaan & Reading, Paul & Bassetti, Claudio. (2012). Narcolepsy. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 7. 263–281. 10.1016/j.jsmc.2012.03.013. 6 Carter LP, Acebo C, Kim A. Patients' journeys to a narcolepsy diagnosis: a physician survey and retrospective chart review. Postgrad Med. 2014;126(3):216-224. 7 Thorpy M, Morse AM. Reducing the clinical and socioeconomic burden of narcolepsy by earlier diagnosis and effective treatment. Sleep Med Clin. 2017;12(1):61-71. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV i s 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

October 15, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Global Energy Leader Chevron Shipping joins NAMEPA, Demonstrating its Dedication to Save Our Seas.

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that Chevron Shipping has joined NAMEPA as its newest corporate member. NAMEPA is proud to be partnering with Chevron Shipping in making strides to Save Our Seas and towards a cleaner future. “We are delighted that our discussions with Chevron Shipping have resulted in their decision to join NAMEPA’s efforts towards sustainability,” stated Ms. Walker. NAMEPA’s mission of preserving the marine environment and promoting sustainable marine industry best practices is aligned with Chevron Shipping’s goals. “Protecting people and the environment has always been a core value of Chevron Shipping. We are pleased to join NAMEPA and its likeminded members striving for a safer, ever-cleaner environment and marine industry,” said Mark Ross, President of Chevron Shipping. NAMEPA proudly welcomes Chevron Shipping to its global and diverse network of individuals and companies in a new partnership that will help progress towards a greener future. About Chevron Shipping: Chevron Shipping Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (NYSE: CVX). Chevron’s fleet has provided a vital link between our operations and the marketplace for more than 125 years. Today, Chevron Shipping Company is an industry leader in safely and reliably transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined products that power the world. Learn more. The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-255-4686 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

October 13, 2021 10:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Direct Introduces NewsBoost™, a Story Syndication Program that Fast-Tracks Coverage from News Releases

News Direct

News Direct, the state-of-the-art news and content distribution service designed to meet the demands of modern media outreach, today launches NewsBoost, a novel story syndication program powered by its partnership with Broadry, a newsroom that offers content partnership opportunities for online publishers. NewsBoost utilizes Broadry’s team of journalists to quickly turn news releases into publication-ready news articles to be shared across its nationwide network of digital newspapers and websites. News releases are made to be distributed to newsrooms but they can often fall short at engaging with reporters enough to transform company news into unique coverage. To ensure immediate editorial coverage and wider reach for press announcements, NewsBoost allows News Direct users to: Create awareness of brands, services, and products through customized articles Reach an additional 800,000 to 1,000,000 impressions Receive detailed reporting of article pickup Similar to News Direct, Broadry harnesses innovative features to stay in tune with the changing landscape of journalism, and through NewsBoost, they’re able to extend their content-creating capabilities to help generate coverage around company announcements. The partnership between the two companies will facilitate even more efficient and modernized news dissemination to meet the needs of businesses and communication professionals. “PR professionals are under pressure to improve the news distribution process to better generate unique coverage in crowded market spaces,” said Gregg Castano, CEO and founder of News Direct. “Broadry’s innovative approach is key to NewsBoost’s ability to elevate press release distribution and generate content that helps companies promote their brand easily and efficiently.” NewsBoost also helps brands that may otherwise find difficulty in securing earned media to increase their press coverage. This is done by harnessing Broady’s team of journalists to convert news releases into nationwide digital coverage to better ensure that content is represented in the media. News Direct is dedicated to identifying synergistic solutions designed to help industry professionals excel in media outreach, and with this goal in mind, their launch of NewsBoost was made in tandem with other purpose-built offerings that enhance the release distribution process. This includes SimpliFi, a new solution that streamlines the process of creating and distributing financial content, and DB Direct, an in-platform global media database. Combining NewsBoost with the company’s recent product updates allows News Direct to go beyond the requirements of a top-tier news distribution service and provide relevant, meaningful solutions to drive value for PR and IR professionals. To learn more about News Direct, please visit newsdirect.com. About News Direct News Direct provides news and content distribution for PR, IR, Corporate Communications and Marketing professionals. Our automated platform delivers a completely-reimagined, intuitive workflow, industry-leading security, transparent, flat-rate pricing and actionable analytics. Further, News Direct has deployed an array of innovation including advanced automation, isolation cloud technology and custom software for the most dynamic, efficient and flexible platform available today. To learn more visit newsdirect.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. About Broadry Broadry develops innovative and efficient content solutions for today's fastest growing media companies. Backed by a team of forward-thinking journalists dedicated to creating products and services to support news organizations, public relations and marketing professionals, and large consumer brands. To learn more about Broadry and our suite of newsroom services, visit Broadry.com. Contact Details North 6th Agency Kevin Pryor +1 212-334-9753 newsdirect@n6a.com Company Website http://www.newsdirect.com

October 13, 2021 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST JOINS COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MARK 10 YEARS OF INTERNET ESSENTIALS

Comcast Utah

Alongside Utah’s top leaders, Comcast’s executives announced its expansion efforts to help low-income Utahns gain access to the Internet and increase digital equity. “Utah is one of the most collaborative states we work with across the country when it comes to helping its citizens gain digital equity,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president, Comcast Mountain West Region. “Leaders from the state, county and city are working together as we open more free WiFi Lift Zones, connect more families to the Internet at home, and increase speeds for businesses and families across the state.” 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. 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. “We are delighted to work with such outstanding corporate partners, such as Comcast, as we connect more Utahns to the Internet,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox. “Utah is regularly lauded for its innovative vision in numerous categories, and increasing our digital access helps everyone, including families, students and businesses.” Salt Lake County is responsible for launching unique digital equity initiatives to connect its community. “We have one of the most forward-thinking counties in the country and having such a robust partnership with leaders in government and community organizations means we can connect the pivot points quicker and more securely for all involved,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “We’re committed to digital equity. Our Salt Lake County libraries have more than 300 hotspots and 150 Chromebooks in circulation to assist residents with digital needs in their homes. “As a national technology leader, Comcast is greatly advancing Salt Lake County's effort in supporting economic prosperity in each region of the county.” According to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, county collaboration with Salt Lake City allows continuity between communities in their efforts to bridge the digital divide. “We only benefit as a community when we embrace technology and ensure we have the fastest and most reliable Internet services available,” said Mendenhall. “Closing the digital divide and providing Lift Zones allows students and families to excel in ways they need to compete in today’s fast-paced environment.” As the nation’s largest Internet provider, Comcast supports cooperation between communities, businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance digital equity. “In working with communities across America, we know Utah is remarkable with a can-do attitude and an extraordinary amount of collaboration with incredible community partners,” said Keller. “Together, we have been able to connect tens of thousands of Utahns to the power of the Internet at home and to the endless opportunity, education, growth, and discovery it provides. Today, we are rededicating ourselves to this mission to ensure the next generation of students in Utah has the tools, resources, and abilities to succeed in an increasingly digital world.” In 2021 alone, Comcast estimates students across America will complete more than 25 million hours of remote learning lessons to further address the “homework gap” at the hundreds of Lift Zone locations that have already opened or will open soon. Comcast’s $1 billion commitment will include investments in several critical areas, including: additional support for the Lift Zone initiative, which establishes WiFi-connected safe spaces in 35 community centers in Utah 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 Utah nonprofit community organizations to create opportunities for low-income Utahns – particularly in media, technology, and entrepreneurship; and continued investment in the company’s landmark Internet Essentials program. “Comcast’s investment in Utah’s digital connectivity future is remarkable,” said Gov. Cox. “Helping to close the digital divide so everyone has Internet access in Utah is paramount.” To increase digital access and reliability, Comcast awarded a financial grant to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake, whose mission is to inspire and empower youth to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. “We are very grateful for this timely grant from Comcast,” said Amanda Ree Hughes, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. “Comcast is a 360-partner because they give more than just dollars for computers and programs. Their employees bring skills, experience and knowledge to create a whole solution in providing access and technology to help our kids succeed.” To help close Utah’s digital divide, Comcast is gifting computers and laptops to Neighborhood House for individuals and families to have Internet access where they had none. “We are excited about our partnership with Comcast because we work with a clientele that doesn't have a lot of access to technology,” said Jennifer Nuttall, executive director at Neighborhood House. “Comcast has been an amazing partner by connecting us, and now that they're giving out 300 computers and laptops to our clients and to help our programs, it's just really phenomenal. “It's life-changing for families. Being able to access technology for kids for school and for parents with work and their kids’ school needs is very much needed.” “Whenever we can help our community neighbors connect to reliable, high-speed Internet access, we work to do that,” said Keller. “It helps keep us all moving forward one family, one organization, and one community at a time.” 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, including the recent expansion of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund to provide millions in grants to small business owners of color and investment in research to increase diversity in the technology and digital fields, 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 56 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, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, 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 Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with more than 30 million households with video service. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. Contact Details Deneiva Knight +1 520-345-9792 deneiva_knight@comcast.com Company Website https://utah.comcast.com/

October 12, 2021 12:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Charlie Pesti Increases Bespoke Logistics and Supply Chain Media & PR Offerings with Addition of Hariesh Manaadiar

CHARLIE PESTI

Logistics and Supply Chain Media & PR Company Charlie Pesti has announced the addition of Hariesh Manaadiar as Director, Market & Data Intelligence. Manaadiar joined the company effective October 1 and will be actively executing the company’s vision of becoming the world's best publicist of logistics and supply chain technologies. “ We have had a strong and long-standing relationship with Hariesh through Shipping and Freight Resource (SFR) and are very excited about what this partnership will bring. Through the collaboration, we will continue to regularly bring our clients in front of thousands of decision makers, creating millions of dollars worth of business, while receiving invaluable insights from the ever growing and highly engaged SFR community. As owner of our data and market intelligence efforts, Hariesh will be working closely with customers to turn their operational data into market intelligence and actionable insights that can be presented to industry and mainstream media on a regular basis. We will also be expanding into market reports and research to continue providing stakeholders with crucial data sets essential for their business operations, ” said Charlie Pesti, Founder and Executive Director at CHARLIE PESTI. Hariesh Manaadiar, brings with him 3 decades of experience in global shipping, maritime, logistics, freight, and supply chain management. He holds a Masters in Shipping & Logistics, a Diploma in Journalism and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Hariesh has been educating Joe Public globally on the various requirements and vagaries of the industry since 2008 through his hugely popular Shipping and Freight Resource. The site is popular for its educational content, Executive Insights, and Product Reviews. Hariesh is a regular speaker at container seminars and has engaged with entities such as the FMC on matters relating to critical issues such as demurrage and detention and port congestion. “ I have always been passionate about assisting customers in the logistics and supply chain space with their pain points and aiding them in their efforts to find innovative solutions. CHARLIE PESTI was a good fit for me to pursue this passion based on their involvement and experience in working with LogTech companies. Working with start-ups, unicorns and scale-ups, CHARLIE PESTI has tripled their revenue and quadrupled profit in the past year alone. I am definitely excited to be part of this growing team and add my expertise to the business, ” adds Hariesh Manaadiar. CHARLIE PESTI covers the supply chain and logistics markets in the geographies of US, EU, APAC & South Africa. About CHARLIE PESTI Charlie Pesti is focused on and obsessed with being the world's best publicist of logistics technologies. They bring their clients to decision-makers, who are eager to engage with them, pay them, and talk about them. The Charlie Pesti team is expert in content creation, industry and mainstream media relations, lead generation, and conferences. Learn more at — www.pesti.io Contact Details CHARLIE PESTI Priyanka Ann Saini +91 98332 68264 priyanka@pesti.io

October 12, 2021 03:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time