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MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF AQUA BLISS

Merle Norman Cosmetics

Merle Norman Cosmetics announces its FIRST foray into the world of clean skincare with the introduction of NEW Aqua Bliss, a 97% natural, plant-based moisturizer that provides superior barrier protection and time-released hydration for skin that is left feeling smooth and supple. This luxuriously weightless infusion of natural oils and antioxidants melts into skin, leaving it soothed, replenished, and blissfully hydrated. Merle Norman Cosmetics ( Affiliate Link ) is in a class among few, having served beauty enthusiasts and the industry for 90 years. The brand has stayed relevant by listening and evolving, including consumer requests for clean beauty. They believe in science and base their product innovation, like this new clean category, on that trust. The brand’s new clean formulation approach will continue to evolve as new science and data is available. Merle Norman Cosmetics is committed to mindfully developing safe, results-driven products with complete ingredient transparency. Meticulously formulated with Jojoba, Soy, Olive and Vitamin E oils, Aqua Bliss helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and prevent the water-loss that can lead to dryness, fine lines and discomfort. It also contains sugar derived Aquaxyl, which is clinically proven to provide time-released hydration and plump the skin for a visibly hydrated, softer and smoother complexion. Additionally, antioxidant-rich Lavender Flower Powder and a Gingko Biloba derivative helps calm red, visibly stressed-out skin to keep it petal soft all year round. Merle Nethercutt Norman launched her eponymous beauty empire in 1931 with two skincare game-changers. As the brand celebrates its milestone 90 th Anniversary, they continue the tradition of advanced skincare innovations like Aqua Bliss, a new quench revolution in facial care. Aqua Bliss Product Benefits · 97% Natural + Plant Based Formula · Provides superior barrier protection and time-released hydration · Smooths, plumps and soothes · Calms visibly red, irritated skin · Safe for every skin type, every day · Dermatologist-tested · Free from Fragrance, Dyes, Parabens, Gluten, Colorants, Drying Alcohol, Formaldehyde and Phthalates Aqua Bliss (SRP: $37) is available at Merle Norman Cosmetics Studios nationwide and online at www.merlenorman.com. Click here for Merle Norman Cosmetics Affiliate Link About Merle Norman Cosmetics Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. is a prestige brand acclaimed for pioneering the “try before you buy” philosophy, as well as creating innovative and high-quality color cosmetics and skincare products that allow consumers to express their best selves. For 90 years, this iconic American brand has provided consumers the confidence to pursue their dreams, explore their ideas, and create their own version of extraordinary. Today, Merle Norman Cosmetics remains family-owned with franchise Studios located throughout the United States, Canada, and internationally. Continuously evolving and creating effective, exciting, and technologically advanced products, Merle Norman Cosmetics remains dedicated to setting trends and fulfilling the ongoing needs of diverse customers everywhere. For more information, visit www.merlenorman.com. Contact Details K3 Media Collective Brooke Hilton Brooke@K3MediaCollective.com Company Website https://www.merlenorman.com/homepage

October 19, 2021 11:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Innersense Organic Beauty Launches Serenity Smoothing Cream

Innersense Organic Beauty

Award-winning clean beauty brand Innersense Organic Beauty is expanding their hair care range with the new Serenity Smoothing Cream. Officially launching today, this nutrient-rich lotion can be used on all hair types and textures to achieve a smooth, flawless blowout. Key ingredients include baobab and frangipani which help lock in moisture, provide care for thermal exposure from styling tools, and strengthen strands without weighing hair down. A combination of vitamin-rich mango seed butter, avocado and coconut oils help nourish and boost hair hydration while smoothing out the cuticle to reduce frizz. The cream contains light fragrance notes of citrus floral, to help promote relaxation and create a soothing, uplifting mood. The Serenity Smoothing Cream is vegan, gluten free, non-GMO and cruelty free. The tube is made from 65% PCR and the flip top is 100% PCR The brand recently achieved its Climate Neutral Certification, to measure and offset its carbon footprint, while also reducing its emissions over time. “Our goal is to create products that are not only essential for styling but are formulated using natural ingredients that won’t damage hair or the planet,” says Greg Starkman, Founder of Innersense Organic Beauty. “We combined baobab with frangipani and nutrient rich oils to help give hair a beautiful, healthy shine.” The Serenity Smoothing Cream is available in a 6 oz size ($28) at innersensebeauty.com. About Innersense Organic Beauty Beauty professionals Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty to bring clean, pure and toxin free hair care to salons, stylists and consumers. The clean hair care brand’s products include shampoo, conditioner, scalp scrubs, styling and treatment products for all hair types. For more information, visit innersensebeauty.com. Contact Details BPCM Archita Patel +1 281-725-2121 archita@bpcm.com Company Website https://innersensebeauty.com/

October 19, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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ALLIED CORP SIGNS MAJOR SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH US MULTI STATE OPERATOR (MSO) AND SALES AGREE-MENT FOR ALLIED’S CBD BRANDS

Allied Corp

Allied Corp. ("Allied" or the “Company”) ( OTCQB: ALID ) is pleased to announce the signing of what we believe to be another major supply agreement for the 2022 calendar year. Allied will be only providing cannabis flower after the Colombian government allows it and will provide supply only to countries where it is legal to sell into (for example, the United States only allows for THC levels to be less than 0.3%). In addition to the quantities contemplated in the October 07, 2021 press release, on October 17, 2021, Allied signed another supply contract with a US Multi State Operator for 12,000 kilograms of dried cannabis flower for the 2022 calendar year. This product will be supplied starting in January 2022 and will be the beginning of another monthly recurring supply contract. In addition to this, Allied has also signed a purchase order for its branded CBD products in the United States. Through this agreement, Allied products will be sent to retail stores within the states of California and Nevada. These products include: Tactical Relief™ Liberty CBD Tincture Tactical Relief™ Rapid Recovery Roll on Oil Tactical Relief™ Battle Balm Tactical Relief™ Fizzy Tabs Tactical Relief™ Tactical Hydration Tactical Relief™ Quick Hit Gummies Equilibrium Bio™ CBD Tincture Equilibrium Bio™ Rapid Recovery Roll on Oil Equilibrium Bio™ Athletic Rub Equilibrium Bio™ Fizzy Tabs Equilibrium Bio™ Hydration Drinks Equilibrium Bio™ Gummies MaXXa™ Skin Structure MaXXa™ Eye Recover Maxxa™ Glossy Lip Recover MaXXa™ Skin Designer MaXXa™ Vitamin Absolute MaXXa™ Absolute Recover Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the United States legalized the ability to sell CBD based natural health products. The THC threshold limit is set at 0.3%THC. All of Allied’s products are currently within the legal thresholds and within compliance of the national laws in the United States. “We are ready to provide large volumes of high quality cannabis to the international marketplace. With several supply contracts signed for the 2022 calendar year, we are ready to start shipping when Colombia allows. Allied harvests on a weekly basis and by nature of this we believe that we will be able to provide rolling supply that is harvested fresh every week. In addition to this, we are offering attractive terms to approved off take partners to offer what we believe to be a de-risked pricing structure to the sales cycle.” said Mr. Calum Hughes, CEO and Chairman of Allied Corp. About Allied Corp. - https://allied.health/ Allied Corp. is an international cannabis company with its main production center in Colombia and is one of the few companies that has exported from Colombia internationally. In preparation for the possible legalization of cannabis by the US Federal Government, Allied also has the option to purchase a US cannabis license in the US (Nevada) exercisable if such were to happen. In addition to this, Allied has three CBD-brands to market with products selling in the United States. Lastly, Allied has both Cannabinoid and psilocybin products in the pharmaceutical development track seeking pharma drug indications for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Investor Relations:ir@allied.health1-877-255-4337 Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada or the United States ( “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking information may relate to the Company’s future outlook and anticipated events, plans or results, and may include information regarding the Company’s objectives, goals, strategies, future revenue or performance and capital expenditures, and other information that is not historical information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by the use of terminology such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “pending,” “in process,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “can,” the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on the Company’s opinions, estimates and assumptions in light of management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that management currently believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward looking statements in this press release include the following: that Allied is leveraging the conditions in its Colombia grow operation and future Kelowna location to support its Research and Development efforts; that Allied is making important strides forward to position itself as a leader in the medical cannabis space, that Allied intends to make a series of proposed trademark and other intellectual property protection filings, as part of the Company’s Intellectual Property and Pharma Development (IP&PD) Strategy, statements respecting the joint development, manufacturing, and the introduction of TACTICAL RELIEF™ branded products. There can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information in this release include: the Company’s exposure to legal and regulatory risk; the effect of the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Canada and Colombia on the medical cannabis industry is unknown and may significantly and negatively affect the Company’s medical cannabis business; that the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis are not as currently expected; that adverse changes or developments affecting the Company’s main or planned facilities may have an adverse effect on the Company; that the medical cannabis industry and market may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or the Company may not be able to succeed in this market; risks related to completion of the greenhouse construction in Colombia, risks related to market competition; risks related to the proposed adult-use cannabis industry and market in Canada and Colombia including the Company’s ability to enter into or compete in such markets; that the Company has a limited operating history and a history of net losses and that it may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future; risks related to the Company’s current or proposed international operations; risks related to future third party strategic alliances or the expansion of currently existing relationships with third parties; that the Company may not be able to successfully identify and execute future acquisitions or dispositions or successfully manage the impacts of such transactions on its operations; risks inherent to the operation of an agricultural business; that the Company may be unable to attract, develop and retain key personnel; risks resulting from significant interruptions to the Company’s access to certain key inputs such as raw materials, electricity, water and other utilities; that the Company may be unable to transport its cannabis products to patients in a safe and efficient manner; risks related to recalls of the Company’s cannabis products or product liability or regulatory claims or actions involving the Company’s cannabis products; risks related to the Company’s reliance on pharmaceutical distributors; that the Company, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavorable publicity or become subject to negative consumer or investor perception; that certain events or developments in the cannabis industry more generally may impact the Company’s reputation or its relationships with customers or suppliers; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage in respect of the risks that it faces, that the premiums for such insurance may not continue to be commercially justifiable or that there may be coverage limitations and other exclusions which may result in such insurance not being sufficient; that the Company may become subject to liability arising from fraudulent or illegal activity by its employees, contractors, consultants and others; that the Company may experience breaches of security at its facilities or losses as a result of the theft of its products; risks related to the Company’s information technology systems; that the Company may be unable to sustain its revenue growth and development; that the Company may be unable to expand its operations quickly enough to meet demand or manage its operations beyond their current scale; that the Company may be unable to secure adequate or reliable sources of necessary funding; risks related to, or associated with, the Company’s exposure to reporting requirements; risks related to conflicts of interest; risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks related to the Company’s potential exposure to greater-than-anticipated tax liabilities; risks related to the protection and enforcement of the Company’s intellectual property rights, or the intellectual property that it licenses from others; that the Company may become subject to allegations that it or its licensors are in violation of the intellectual property rights of third parties; that the Company may not realize the full benefit of the clinical trials or studies that it participates in; that the Company may not realize the full benefit of its licenses if the licensed material has less market appeal than expected and the licenses may not be profitable; as well as any other risks that may be further described in and the risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure including its Management's Discussion and Analysis sections in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed under the Company's profile at www.sec.gov. Although management has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information in this presentation, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information in this presentation. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers and viewers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents the Company’s expectations as of the date of this release or the date indicated, regardless of the time of delivery of the presentation. The Company disclaims any intention, obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. Contact Details Allied Corp Investor Relations +1 877-255-4337 ir@allied.health Company Website https://allied.health/

October 19, 2021 05:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time

SIGMA Announces 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, the Smallest and Lightest F2.8 Zoom Lens for APS-C Format Mirrorless Cameras

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is excited to announce the upcoming release of the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens. Ideal for travel and day-to-day shooting, this remarkable new lens offers a high-quality, versatile, extremely compact option for crop-sensor mirrorless camera users. Less than 3 inches (74.5mm) long and weighing just over 10 ounces (290g), it is the smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras (as of October 2021). The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens will be available in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $549 near the end of October 2021. Learn more about the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | C at: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/18-50mm-f2-8-dc-dn-c Exclusively for mirrorless cameras｜Compatible with APS-C cameras C | Contemporary SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Stunning versatility Large F2.8 aperture and superb image quality Exceptionally compact and lightweight body ideal for mirrorless cameras Supports various shooting situations Supplied accessories: Petal Type Hood (LH582-02), Front Cap (LCF-55 III), Rear Cap (LCR II) Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA1850mmContemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMADCDN A large F2.8 aperture zoom lens that need never leave your camera This exceptionally small, light and bright standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras is the ultimate workhorse lens. SIGMA's first APS-C size mirrorless zoom lens has a versatile full-frame equivalent zoom range of 27-75mm, which makes it ideal for a wide range of photo and video applications including landscapes, portraits, street photography, architecture and events. It can also be used for macro-style close-up photography owing to its maximum magnification of 1:2.8 *1 and minimum focusing distance of just 12.1cm. The bright F2.8 aperture makes for easier hand-held low-light shooting and provides a shallow depth-of-field for high-impact results. Autofocus is exceptionally fast and quiet thanks to the stepping motor, which can be particularly useful when shooting video, or fast-moving subjects such as children and animals. The lens' exceptionally small and light form factor that weighs less than 300g makes it perfect as a first interchangeable lens, as well as a sub-lens for full-frame bodies *2, as well as for various shooting situations. *1 The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification ratio are both values at the wide end. *2 Please switch to APS-C crop mode when used on full-frame cameras. [Key features] 1. Large F2.8 aperture and superb image quality The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary covers 27mm to 75mm in the 35mm format, and has a wide aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. This makes it easy to achieve blurry backgrounds, which is ideal for shooting attractive portraits and close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and attractive so doesn't distract from the in-focus subject. The lens's three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements coupled with the minimization of the total number of elements yields superb optical quality without excessive weight, and the use of in-camera aberration correction further eliminates optical imperfections such as distortion and vignetting. This has all been made possible by the latest optical design technology at SIGMA's only production base in Aizu, where all SIGMA lenses are built. 2. Exceptionally compact and lightweight body ideal for mirrorless cameras The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is remarkably compact, matching the portability of APS-C mirrorless camera bodies. This makes it a perfect workhorse lens that is ideal for general day-to-day use. The lens is currently the smallest and lightest in its class *1, boasting a maximum diameter of φ65.4mm, a length of 74.5mm and weight of 290g *2, yet still maintains a constant aperture of F2.8. To keep the lens as light as possible, SIGMA constructed the body from carefully selected materials. A polycarbonate called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) was used for the construction of the barrel, which is sleek, robust, and importantly has a thermal conductivity close to that of aluminum. This ensures stable performance and good operability when used in changing temperatures. By deliberately using metal for some of the internal structure, the parts could be much thinner and have a higher rigidity, ensuring the lens can stand up to frequent, heavy use. * 1 As an AF compatible, F2.8 constant aperture zoom lens for APS-C (as of October 2021, by SIGMA) *2 The values are for L-Mount 3. Supports various shooting situations The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary has fast and near-silent AF that makes it perfectly suited to a range of photographic applications, including shooting in quiet environments, recording videos and capturing fast-moving subjects. This has been achieved by using a stepping motor as the AF actuator. Since it is small and lightweight, it can be used flexibly in situations such as handheld shooting, which requires high mobility, gimbal shooting, one-man operation video shooting and vlogging. With an emphasis on making the lens as versatile as possible in a wide variety of shooting conditions, SIGMA designed the lens with a minimum focusing distance of 12.1 cm and maximum magnification of 1:2.8*, making it also ideal for close-ups. * The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification are both values at the wide end. Combined with the "Pocketable Full-Frame" SIGMA fp, the total weight is only 712g, and it can also be useful as a sub lens for full-frame cameras (used in crop mode) to keep weight down. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, which combines compactness, light weight, high performance, and large aperture, supports a variety of shooting situations, from introductory single-lens mirrorless cameras to video shooting and combination with full-frame cameras. Example of the lens used in combination with full-frame cameras in APS-C format [Additional Features] Compatible with lens aberration correction Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups, with 1 SLD and 3 aspherical elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Support DMF and AF+MF Super Multi-Layer Coating Petal type lens hood (LH582-02) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 7-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount "Made in Japan" craftsmanship To learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key Specifications] The figures below are for L-Mount: Lens construction: 10 groups, 13 elements (1 SLD and 3 aspherical lenses) Angle of view (APS-C): 76.5° (W) -31.7° (T) Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm) Minimum aperture: F22 Minimum focusing distance: 12.1 (W) - 30 (T) cm / 4.8 (W) - 11.9 (T) in. Maximum magnification ratio: 1:2.8 (W) - 1:5 (T) Filter size: φ55mm Dimensions (Maximum Diameter x Length): φ65.4mm x 74.5mm / φ2.6 in. x 2.9 in. Weight: 290g / 10.2 oz. [Barcode] L-Mount: 0085126 585693 Sony E-mount: 0085126 585655 [Accessories: Supplied] Name of product / barcode FRONT CAP LCF-55III: 0085126 930066 PETAL TYPE LENS HOOD LH582-02: 0085126 939694 REAR CAP LCR II (L-Mount) 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (Sony E-mount) 0085126 929879 [Accessories: Optional] SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 930912 SIGMA PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 931049 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930653 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930783 [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed at the link below: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information | https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c021_18_50_28/ About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with nearly 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. As SIGMA reaches its 60th anniversary, the company continues to work diligently to innovate and grow in an ever-changing industry, while adhering to the principles set by its founder, Michihiro Yamaki, and carried on by current CEO Kazuto Yamaki, now and into the future. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media: SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact Details Jack Howard +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@SIGMAPHOTO.COM

October 19, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pinpoint: UK startup Naurt unveils first-of-its-kind location hyper-precise tracking software that improves GPS

Naurt

Geo-location startup, Naurt, has today announced full public access to a game-changing software set to unlock the future of hyper-precise location tracking. Following a year of beta testing with a pilot group of high-profile local and international businesses and governments, Naurt has now made their first-of-its-kind software accessible to any and all businesses around the globe. The startup’s plug-and-play toolkit currently has no direct competitors and promises to deliver 45 times more accurate location data when used indoors or outdoors and across borders. Current Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology – what most people think of as GPS or SatNav – simply cannot ensure accuracy in built-up areas where even a reasonably large tree can make pinpointing an exact location impossible. Even in open spaces, industries that rely on knowing where something is in relation to something else are still using outdated technology that is good enough at best. Naurt’s software does not replace the satellite location services businesses currently use. Instead, it simply integrates seamlessly with it and fixes the problems that cause the location data to be inaccurate. Where businesses might currently be able to pinpoint a location to within around 20 metres, integrating Naurt could improve accuracy to within centimetres. Jack Maddalena, Co-founder and CEO of Naurt commented: “Naurt is making geo-location ultra precise. Standard satellite location services are no longer fit for purpose and are costing businesses and people time, money and safety. We have created the world’s first platform that is able to improve on this without the need for extra hardware. The work we are doing will be transformational for people and businesses around the world”. In a recent pilot for a large micro-mobility company, Naurt corrected location fixes by an average of 14.6 metres with a maximum correction of as much as 78 metres. Enabling their fleet with Naurt software made it possible for the company to expand into extremely built-up cities that would have previously been out of the question. There will soon be a scooter on every street corner as the micro-mobility trend builds momentum globally. However, many cities will refuse to invite these companies onto their streets if they cannot guarantee the level of safety only Naurt enablement can ensure. In practical terms, Naurt has already improved one of the largest food delivery companies in the world by 40%. Despite unprecedented growth in the last mile delivery market recently, major players still rely on location data that is miles away from accurate. Innovation has halted in similar areas such as micro-mobility, autonomous construction, drone delivery and smart city design as a result of inadequate tracking capabilities. Naurt is making waves in the micro-mobility sector, helping companies win bids through passing safety legislation and enabling them to expand into previously untouchable places. A Naurt-enabled fleet can enforce parking zones (no more scooter litter), throttle speeds in no-go zones and offer smart lane detection. Naurt has helped micro-mobility companies improve their location fixes by an average of 40% during beta testing, eliminating what is known as GNSS drift, so customers and charge teams can track scooters down to the lamp post they are leaning against. “Put simply, your on-demand food delivery service cannot accurately estimate when your pizza will arrive or guarantee that it will be hot when it does. The restaurant cannot tell how far away your driver is or whether to wait before firing up the oven. That means your driver will wait longer when they arrive at the restaurant and fit in less deliveries that evening as a result. Once your pizza is en route, you can only track its progress through vague updates like “on it’s way”, “around the corner” or “nearby” leaving you hanging out the window or loitering by the door waiting for them to get your location wrong – just like last time. But all that is about to change” added J ack Maddalena. Naurt’s mission is to unlock innovation by providing an essential enabler without which rapid progress in sectors that rely on GNSS would simply not be possible. The startup will remove a significant barrier to breakthroughs in emerging technologies and industries such as self-driving cars, automated construction, drone deliveries, last mile logistics, micro-mobility and more. Jack Maddalena said: “Naurt’s innovation enables a diverse sphere of enterprises to improve their solutions, unlock opportunities and break into new markets. We have seen the impact of our work with our customers who, through intelligent location data, are identifying revenues in ways once thought impossible. Here at Naurt, we can imagine a future where there is a new technological revolution based on location hyper-precision and we believe strongly that Naurt is the company to make this happen.” About Naurt Naurt is a location intelligence platform creating the future of geolocation mapping and tracking. Because GNSS technologies have too many limitations, Naurt's world-class team is tackling the core issue by solving problems once thought impossible. The team aspires to make the new standard tool for tracking for everyone. Naurt was founded in April 2020 in Brighton, England, by Jack Maddalena and Nicolas Slack. Jack is an entrepreneur and commercial specialist as well as the former sales director and cofounder of VRCraftworks, a company known for making one of the “10 top VR apps to download” according to The Guardian and many others publications. Nicolas Slack, Naurt CTO, is a published researcher and programmer whose vision catalysed modern acoustic-levitation, and pivoted his attention to geo-location. Under his watchful eye, geo-location technology has entered a new era of innovation! Contact Details Naurt Bilal Mahmoood +44 7714 007257 press@naurt.com Company Website https://www.naurt.com

October 19, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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South Florida Real Estate Trends for Fall 2021

Miami Luxury Waterfront Homes

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and work-from-home orders, buyers have been flocking to Miami and nearby areas in South Florida. And it's not just homeowners — companies including Microsoft, JetBlue Airways and Goldman Sachs have recently moved their headquarters to Florida. The city is also luring in Tech crowds thanks heavily to the Mayor, Francis Suarez, who has been targeting Silicon Valley. These trends have seen billionaire businesspeople make the move to Miami while the local economy has seen a boom as of late. Although it's hard to say if this particular trend will continue as COVID-19 carries on, it's not unbelievable to think that workers and businesses alike may continue to take up permanent residence in the area. When it comes to real estate, luxury homes and condos continue to be in high demand through the fall months and with listings moving fast and limited availability, average home prices have risen exceptionally in the last year. Miami recently surpassed L.A. as the most expensive housing market, coming in second only to New York City. Florida has seen a massive trend of transplants from big cities, including New York & California, where homeowners are used to paying top-dollar for real estate and higher taxes. As such, luxury properties have been flipping for record profits with some garnering nearly three times the original investment within a short span. Last month, a waterfront estate in Miami Beach was flipped for nearly a 50% gain in just 4 months. It sold for $19 million in May of 2021 and for $28.1 million in September. Flips for luxury single-family homes are becoming more common due to the low inventory of houses available for sale in South Florida. "This market is truly unique," says Samantha Joelle Elenson, a realtor with ONE Sotheby's International Realty for nearly a decade. Miami is thriving with its growing population. The local entertainment and culture scenes are expanding to accommodate the city's newest residents. "Miami is at the forefront for the place to be," Elenson says. The city saw a surge of restaurants open and supper clubs are gaining momentum. Last season, New Yorkers notoriously booked reservations in Miami's top restaurants months in advance so locals planning a night out would be wise to book ahead — something Miami locals may need to adjust to. "Our city is attracting various industries and people for different reasons," Samantha explains. "I was getting calls from out-of-state clients looking to escape to Miami for their freedom as they put it. There was also a tech wave and all of a sudden Silicon Valley was looking at Miami. After the Presidential election and proposed tax adjustments, we began seeing a migration of billion-dollar businesses relocate headquarters here along with their employees. The surge of new residents caught the attention of top hospitality groups like Major Food Group from New York, which opened the almost impossible to get into Carbone and ZZ's. The city is evolving quickly and as a result new opportunities are emerging." When it comes to real estate pricing, it's clear to see this trend continuing well into the fall of 2021 according to the data presented by Samantha's Brokerage, ONE Sotheby's International Realty, which is a leading luxury firm in South Florida. The Trends report can be viewed at https://www.onesothebysrealty.com/trends. It presents the only market report focused on Florida’s East Coast. Data is presented from a macro perspective down to a city level from Miami to Cocoa Beach. October is now well underway and although the market in neighborhoods throughout South Florida shows signs of a shift toward seasonal trends, buyer competition, particularly among domestic newcomers, is expected to continue. Pricing for single-family homes and condominiums should hold steady or see a slight decrease through the remainder of 2021. Thanks to buyer competition, in August 2021, more than 27% of homes were sold above the asking price. By comparison, February 2021 saw just 13% of the area's homes sold above asking. In August 2021, Miami-Dade County saw the highest average sales price. Single-family homes sold for an average of $995,538 — a 32% increase over the August 2020 average, while condos sold for an average of $556,225 — also a 32% increase over August 2020 numbers. "Buyers are struggling to get properties at asking with phenomenal terms," Samantha shares. The county saw more than 1,247 transactions close in August after an average of 41 days on the market. Homes in neighborhoods such as South Miami, Miami Beach, Surfside, Golden Beach and Bay Harbor had average sales prices exceeding $1 million with luxury homes Bay Harbor Islands boasting the highest average sales price at $8.625 million and homes in South Miami selling for an average of $1,184,063 — 26% more than in August 2020. Throughout Miami-Dade County, available listings have increased slightly over the past few months, with 3% more available listings in August than in July 2021, when available listings hit a record low. As the availability of homes for sale increases in South Miami and other neighborhoods throughout Miami-Dade, average sales prices are seeing a slight downward trend. However, the Miami housing market remains hot and competition among buyers is at an all-time high, meaning homes are selling fast and sellers are seeing full-price offers and bidding wars over properties. As fall progresses, it's expected that competition for luxury homes in South Miami and other sought-after communities in the area will continue. "Clients traveled this summer as countries reopened but the housing demand remained high even without their presence," she says. "I expect as the season approaches those who were unsure of an address in Miami, will return to the sunshine state where they happily found refuge last season with all of their friends." Overall, the South Florida real estate market continues to thrive in the fall of 2021. Competition is at all-time highs while average sale prices remain among the highest in the country. About Miami Luxury Waterfront Homes One of ‘America’s Best Real Estate Agents’ as ranked by REAL Trends WSJ, native Floridian Samantha Joelle Elenson specializes in waterfront luxury properties, beachfront condominiums, and upscale property developments in and around Miami and Broward County. Raised in Golden Beach, Florida, Samantha is a third-generation real estate professional who draws on more than 40 years of family real estate development and investment experience. Since joining ONE Sotheby’s International Realty in 2012, Samantha has achieved residential real estate sales totaling more than $75 million. Her goal is to connect clients with the finest real estate properties in South Florida and provide each buyer or seller with personalized customer service complemented by her exclusive network, shrewd negotiating skills, and professional expertise. Her concierge approach to her clients and unrelenting passion for real estate are hallmarks of her service. Visit https://www.miamiluxurywaterfronthomes.com/. Contact Details Miami Luxury Waterfront Homes Samantha Joelle Elenson +1 786-393-4793 selenson@onesothebysrealty.com Company Website https://www.miamiluxurywaterfronthomes.com/

October 14, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

KOAN CORDIALS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

Resonate Blends, Inc

Koan, a Resonate Blends brand, is leading a new area of plant-based wellness with the direct-to-consumer launch of the world’s first cannabis cordials - non-alcoholic, single-dose, plant-derived liquids designed to help mindful consumers to find inspiration, restore balance, and improve the quality of their lives. By combining the wisdom of traditional, holistic wellness practices with cutting-edge science and technology, Koan has developed a brand-new way to harness the wide-ranging benefits of cannabis, utilizing various ratios of THC and CBD, along with botanical terpenes, adaptogens, and other plant extracts to deliver precise and consistent life-enhancing experiences. The six cordials - Calm, Balance, Play, Create, Delight, and Wonder – have the fast on-set of a tincture, the long duration of an edible, and the ease and social benefits of a beverage all in one single-dose bottle. Calm, for example, has a large concentration of CBD with low levels of THC ensuring a profoundly calming experience without getting you high. The low level of THC amplifies the benefits of natural plant extracts including Linalool—known to help treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia—Beta-Caryophyllene, an anti-inflammatory, and Limonene—a naturally-derived anti-depressive—to help ease stress and return to a comfortable and functional mind/body state. On the other extreme is Koan's Wonder formulation carefully crafted to support consumers in every way when their goal is to ponder the infinite. Wonder has higher levels of THC with low levels to CBD designed to help refine the powerful experience. Koan's other blends of Cordials enhance creativity, bring a feeling of enchantment, or unleash a feeling of energy, joy, and more. The full range of products is designed to help those using cannabis in an intentional way to find what they are looking for with precision, consistency, and refinement. “At Koan we’re mastering the art of experience. It’s more than science, it’s our passion - refining, amplifying, and calibrating cannabis so you can always find what you are looking for. We are deeply enmeshed in the science, we have two patents pending supporting our formulations, processes, and bioavailability to ensure that consumers get exactly what they expect, every time, from our products,” said Geoff Selzer, CEO and Founder. “We are delighted to partner with Grassdoor for our direct to home delivery ensuring that all of our customers can get our products whenever they choose in the most convenient, safe, discrete, and reliable fashion possible.” Koan is committed to demystifying cannabis and harnessing its impactful ingredients to create products that support intentional and mindful use as a core part of daily wellness—physical, spiritual, and most importantly, emotional. Through precision crafting, Koan invites a general sense of well-being, lean-in awareness and presence rather than the “check-out high” normally associated with most cannabis-based products. The single-dose cordials are artfully designed to be both portable and discrete, with fast-acting ingredients that allow a quick onset for a long-lasting experience of up to four hours. The delightful citrus and botanical notes of the cordials can be enjoyed directly out of the bottle or poured into any beverage or one of Koan’s signature cannabis cocktail recipes. Koan Cordials are now available for purchase directly at https://koan.life. Koan provides the option to order individual cordial three packs, or in themed bundles such as the Serenity Bundle, Engage Bundle, or the Experience Bundle. Koan has proudly partnered with Grassdoor, the premier direct-to-consumer e-commerce solution for cannabis brands in California, to allow consumers to shop Koan’s portfolio of Cordials with same-day delivery across Southern California (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and Northern California (including San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland). Grassdoor is one of the largest end-to-end delivery solutions in cannabis, providing same-day delivery to 75% of the population of California. ABOUT RESONATE BLENDS, INC. Resonate Blends, Inc. (OTCQB:KOAN) develops Koan Cordials, meticulously formulated blends of THC, CBD, Terpenes, and Botanicals that provide a refined cannabis experience. Unlike strain-based or full-spectrum products, Koan Cordials are scientifically crafted to highlight specific cannabis characteristics, with predictable experiences and intensity allowing people to tap into specific feelings in a new, better way. ABOUT GRASSDOOR Grassdoor is the premier delivery marketplace and direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform in cannabis, providing customers same-day delivery of top brands in 45 minutes or less throughout California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Ventura, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and more. In addition to being the fastest licensed delivery service in the state, Grassdoor aims to be the safest, friendliest, and most reliable cannabis delivery solution worldwide. This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding guidance relating to net income; anticipated customer onboardings; and expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set out in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Contact Details BPCM Katie Bell +1 323-655-5541 koancordials@bpcm.com Company Website https://www.resonateblends.com

October 13, 2021 08:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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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TECH BOSSES WARN OF POTENTIAL E-COMMERCE BLACK FRIDAY AND XMAS “MELTDOWN” FOR HIGH STREET AND ONLINE RETAILERS

Credersi & ROQ

With the high street already on its knees following the pandemic, which has decimated the retail industry, both physical and online retailers will be desperately looking to their e-commerce systems to make up for lost revenues and profits this Christmas after a disastrous year. However, British tech bosses are warning of potential systems crash as we approach Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the extra demand running up to the Christmas trading period. Following the Facebook/Instagram and What’s App outage last week - as all three platforms went down for 6 hours - this has perfectly highlighted how vulnerable even the biggest tech companies are to systems failures. There is a real concern that e-commerce systems will be pushed to breaking point, with an unprecedented surge in demand from shoppers and issues in the supply chain and delivery fulfilment. The warning comes as both high street and online retailers look to maximise their revenues and profits against a backdrop of untested e-commerce technology and software. In recent times this has been melded together at breakneck speed by a remote workforce and hasn’t been sufficiently tested. This makes systems vulnerable to coding errors, traffic tsunamis, DDoS attacks, ransomware, malware attacks and DNS provider downtime which will almost certainly lead to a lack of fulfilment, late delivery and even overcharging. A massive shortage of trained quality engineers in software testing to check, test and maintain software and e-commerce systems has created the perfect storm. Retailers face an unprecedented demand on the supply of products and the delivery of goods to the end user in their post-pandemic recovery and with Christmas only 12 weeks away. A number of British retailers have reported systems issues and websites crashing as the UK struggles to return to pre-pandemic output and cope with demand. Software testing plays a critical role in e-commerce retailing as we rely on more online purchases. Two British tech firms – Credersi and ROQ, which are at the forefront of tech training and software testing – are addressing the shortage by training “work-ready” quality engineers through a uniquely designed fast-track training course. They are also increasing their efforts to encourage more women and members of the BAME communities into software testing. ROQ are pioneers in delivering strategic software testing solutions and providing trained quality engineers. The firm provides services to the likes of legal giants Linklaters, as well as Deloitte, Boots, Specsavers, Unilever, MS Amlin, The Post Office and the NHS. Stephen Johnson, Founder and CEO of ROQ Software Testing Solutions, is one of the leading figures and experts in the strategic software testing industry. “As we approach the busiest time of the year with Christmas weeks away, retailers are faced with an unprecedented set of demands from consumers. Demand is outstripping supply and goods are taking longer to manufacture and deliver. Much of this due in part to the factors of Brexit and the pandemic. “The Facebook/Instagram/What’s App outage last week has also perfectly demonstrated the vulnerability of systems if they are not regularly tested. No company is too big to fall and the impact on any business can be devastating both financially and in losing customer trust and goodwill. This is also a time when retailers face huge spikes and surges in their e-commerce sites with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and increased online shopping with Christmas demand. Brexit and the pandemic have also created the perfect storm of skills shortages across a number of industries. Software testing provides an essential role to the core functionality of any retail and e-commerce business. Unless you rigorously test systems, you cannot find the weaknesses or vulnerabilities until it’s too late. Often for an e-commerce retailer, this comes at great financial cost and has a major impact on customers.” In December of last year, the Debenhams website crashed when more than 1 million shoppers tried to access the site. The cloud computing service Fastly took down thousands of websites in multiple countries earlier this year, costing numerous businesses billions in lost revenue. Retailers such as Amazon and eBay also found their websites had disappeared for an hour. These 2 companies alone boast a combined £25 billion in annual sales in the UK, meaning a 1-hour outage would have cost £3 million between them over that period. Other e-commerce sites such as PayPal were also hit and based on their 2020 transactions of $963 billion, the 1-hour outage would have cost them around $106 million. Johnson continued: “It is absolutely vital that any high street or online retailer with an e-commerce presence ensures that their software testing is put front and centre of their operations. There simply aren’t enough quality engineers to keep up with the demand by British companies and very soon this will reach breaking point. Together with Credersi, we are working to address that issue and will create a ‘best-in-class’ curriculum in software testing, taking candidates on a 14-week course to final certification. Most importantly, the Credersi ROQ curriculum will ensure all academy consultants are ‘work-ready’ to fill those key roles immediately.” The skills shortage in software testing has also been accelerated by the offshoring of “testing services” and Brexit. Andy Lord warned of the very real risk that if the UK does not train enough quality engineers for software testing, “there could be disastrous consequences not just for retail and e-commerce, but also business, industry and manufacturing who all need software systems tested.” Addressing the software testing industry skills shortage post-Brexit, Credersi has teamed up with leading software testing experts ROQ. The two companies have created a British software testing curriculum to train and “fast-track” a new generation of quality engineers with nationally recognised qualifications who are work-ready in 14 weeks. They aim to make the industry much more accessible to people who’d never considered a career in software testing or had but didn’t know how to get into it. Andy Lord has long been a passionate advocate for encouraging more women and members of BAME communities into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Andy Lord, CEO of Manchester-headquartered tech training firm Credersi, said: “Not having enough skilled quality engineers will mean that operating software systems will become vulnerable to bugs, glitches and critical failure. This then has a domino effect and impacts on service delivery across the economy, as well as delays in online retailing and delivery.” He continued: “In parallel, we only have to look at the current shortage of skilled lorry drivers who deliver our fuel supplies. The lack of skilled tanker drivers in this sector has had a huge impact on the physical delivery of fuel to the UK economy, despite there being plenty of fuel stocks. In turn, this then impacts the haulage industry and courier drivers who are fulfilling the e-commerce deliveries and cannot deliver the goods to their customers. This creates a domino effect and results in situations such as the panic-buying of fuel as we have just seen across the UK.” The newly created training course will enable students to become a fully qualified quality engineer in software testing. Not only will the engineers gain an ISTQB foundation-level qualification in software testing, but they will also benefit from real-world skills, using contemporary testing tools and techniques. All of the course topics are supported with real-life challenges and projects to ensure scenario planning simulates real-world evaluation. Training individuals in the skills of being a quality engineer is only the beginning. Andy Lord has long been an advocate for providing people with the softer skills that make them truly work-ready. To learn more about ROQ Strategic Testing Solutions and Credersi, please visit www.credersi.com and www.roq.co.uk On a final note, Andy Lord added: “This should be a wakeup call to ensure that companies invest heavily in training and upskilling their workforces across all business sectors in industry, manufacturing and technology, so we can compete equally on the global stage. Whether it’s training a new generation of lorry drivers to transport goods or fuel, or quality engineers in software testing, by increasing our workforce capacity we minimise and reduce the risks of critical failures.” Company Website: https://credersi.com https://www.roq.co.uk Contact Details Credersi Gerard Franklin, Head Of PR & Communications +44 7791 039636 gerard@i5media.co.uk

October 12, 2021 03:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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