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Jock MKT Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate its Growth as the Stock Market for Sports

Jock MKT

Jock MKT (Jock Market), the sports gaming app that combines the best of daily fantasy sports and retail stock trading, announced it has raised $10 million in Series A funding. The round was led by New York-based venture capital firm Left Lane Capital, along with continued participation from existing investors, including Will Ventures and Ryan Moore, a current board member of DraftKings and Accomplice founding partner. Founded in 2017 and launched in 2020 by Co-Founder and CEO Tyler Carlin, Jock MKT has created a new and innovative daily fantasy sports gaming format. Jock MKT is a fantasy sports gaming app where users can make real money buying and selling virtual shares of athletes. Their main differentiator is their cash market format – this unique offering gives users more flexibility and optionality versus typical daily fantasy contests. Users can join at any time and for any dollar amount. They can buy and sell shares of athletes in real-time, cash out early by selling to another user in-game or hold to the end and receive fixed Jock MKT payouts tied to final player rankings based on overall fantasy scoring. Each cash market starts with an “Initial Player Offering,” or an IPO, where users have their first opportunity to bid on shares prior to any contest. Jock MKT’s skill-based gaming format combines the best of daily fantasy sports products with the user interface and mechanics of stock trading and retail investing apps. The result is a unique and engaging second screen game that attracts both dedicated sports fans and retail investors alike. Jock MKT officially launched with the NFL, NBA, and the PGA Tour in September of 2020, as many sports returned to their respective playing schedules amidst the pandemic. They added the NHL and MLB in 2021 at the start of each season. “We look forward to establishing Jock MKT as the main trading platform for fantasy sports,” said Tyler Carlin, Co-Founder and CEO of Jock MKT. “This funding marks a big milestone for the team, and we’re excited to expand our product offerings to additional platforms. We’ll be looking to add more sports and features to Jock MKT, plus expand into Canada and other states in the near term.” “Jock MKT has a unique and novel product offering relative to its daily fantasy sports peers,” said Matthew Miller from Left Lane Capital, who has joined the Jock MKT Board of Directors. “We’ve been incredibly impressed by Tyler and his team, and we look forward to taking this journey in building a next-generation sports trading platform to create stronger engagement between sports fans and teams/players.” “We have evaluated dozens of opportunities in the daily fantasy sports and sports gaming category, and Jock MKT has proven to be an outlier in their strength of product, user engagement and growth,” said Harley Miller, Managing Partner at Left Lane Capital. Jock MKT is well-positioned to capture evolving sports engagement trends as fans seek new ways to follow their favorite teams and players. One of the key indicators of Jock MKT’s success is the length of time spent and engagement in the app. Users spend more than 1.5 hours in the app per cash market – more than half the duration of an average NBA or NHL game – and the largest cash market to date was the 2021 Master’s Tournament. This funding will enable Jock MKT to continue building out its innovative product offering, expand into all 44 eligible states and Canada, and hire across the entire organization to support accelerating growth. About Jock MKT Headquartered in Boston and launched in 2020, Jock MKT ( JockMKT.com ) is a skill-based fantasy gaming platform where users can make real money – every minute, every second, of every game. Inspired by a traditional stock exchange, Jock MKT allows users to buy and sell shares of athletes in real-time. Jock MKT was co-founded by Tyler Carlin and investors include Left Lane Capital, Will Ventures, Ryan Moore, Brandon Adams, Benjie Cherniak, Tim McSweeney, and Alumni Ventures Group. Available in the U.S. in 35 states, Jock MKT offers gaming options for events tied to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and PGA Tour. About Left Lane Capital Left Lane Capital is a New York-based 'breakout' growth equity firm that invests in high-growth internet & consumer technology companies that build long-lasting customer relationships. For more information, please visit www.leftlanecap.com. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://jockmkt.com/

May 18, 2021 08:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Climate & Capital and Science4Data launch Climate Media Signal, the first AI- driven market media intelligence platform

Science4Data

Climate & Capital Media (Climate & Capital), a global media organization dedicated to driving climate action, and Science4Data, an advanced AI-driven analysis company, are partnering to introduce Climate Media Signal, the first public AI platform analyzing ESG and climate media trends using the world’s most advanced data tools. The partnership combines Climate & Capital’s pioneering climate journalism with Science4Data’s proprietary analysis of climate and ESG related trends, sentiment and risk. “We worked with Climate & Capital Media to create Climate Media Signal to help clients anticipate and get ahead of news trends and introduce intelligence on top emerging trends facing businesses,” says Tsveta Petrova, a Columbia University researcher who originally partnered with Science4Data as Eurasia Group’sData and Analytics practice leader. Now Petrova is helping Science4Data develop several key ESG initiatives. “We know that media sentiment is a key driver of business and policy. ESG, including climate, is one of today’s most important trends to monitor closely,” Petrova continues. Climate Media Signal uses intelligent crawlers to curate, tune and collect climate and ESG semantic information from tens of thousands of media sites. Articles are then analyzed by advanced Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Algorithms to derive insights and best-in-class visualization and integration analysis wherever needed. Through the partnership, readers will have the opportunity to interactively explore the contextual language of climate across targeted news and social media channels. ( Click here to learn more.) “With the distorting effects of social media and the fragmentation of global headlines, we think it is important to provide our readers an unbiased, data-driven view of how the media is covering ESG and climate-related trends,” says Climate & Capital founder Peter McKillop. “With the help of Science4data’s platform, we will be able to translate media metadata into actionable insights for investors to act on.” The idea was developed by Chris Dhanraj, managing principal of investments at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and former head of investment strategy at BlackRock iShares, and Peter McKillop, who was the global head of media analysis at BlackRock and global head of iShares communications. “Media is playing a disproportionate role in shaping global perceptions on climate change and ESG, and yet no one has been publishing metadata on how to interpret and act on emerging mega trends,” says Dhanraj. About Climate & Capital Media Climate & Capital Media is a global media organization that provides news, information and connections to bring together people and capital to solve climate change. Its news service develops engaging, well-reported profiles that deliver practical investment and leadership insights on the fast-growing community of businesses addressing global warming and building a sustainable climate economy. Learn more at climateandcapitalmedia.com. About Science4Data Science4Data provides advanced AI-driven analysis technology to monitor any online media, including news, social, and other public sources, alongside private document repositories. Developed by AI experts from leading academic institutions, the Science4Data engine provides the most complete automated insights on trends, topics, coverage, sentiment, risk, density, bias and customizable indices. Analyses are curated for relevance and provided effortlessly at scale. Customers include leading organizations in financial services, media, PR, and marketing services. For more information, please visit science4data.com. Contact Details Science4Data LLC Charles Gerth +1 732-754-5610 gerthc@science4data.com Climate & Capital Media Peter McKillop +12028416693 peter.mckillop@climateandcapitalmedia.com Company Website https://science4data.com/

May 18, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HPL Cyber Survey Finds Enterprise Cybersecurity Purchases are Driven by The Vendor’s Reputation, Not Cost or Expertise

HPL Cyber

A new survey of more than 250 corporate IT professionals conducted in March 2021, conducted by YouGov on behalf of HPL Cyber, indicates that the growth of the cybersecurity industry has led to increased clutter among vendors vying for IT professionals’ attention and share-of-wallet. In fact, the research revealed almost 30% of respondents don’t know the name of their current cybersecurity provider, and 68% are overwhelmed by the sheer number of cybersecurity vendors. “The cyber market is awash in brands that sound the same and use indistinguishable sales and marketing strategies,” said Ted Birkhahn, President of HPL Cyber. “This presents a real challenge for IT professionals who are under increasing pressure to sift through the clutter to find the right partner and solutions that best protect them from ever-evolving threats.” The research found the number one factor when it comes to purchasing cyber security products was brand reputation (41%), which outweighs other factors including cost, expertise and even third-party referrals. Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents cite a lack of brand awareness as one of the biggest barriers when purchasing from cyber vendors. What’s more, when making cybersecurity purchasing decisions, 55% say that case studies, webinars and news articles are more effective than traditional fear-based marketing. When deciding to make a purchase, articles published in cyber, tech and business publications ranked first on the list of resources used (33%) followed by proof of concept. Factors near the bottom of the list when deciding to make a purchase included advertising and cold calling. The Cyber Buyer’s Conundrum Buyers are overwhelmed, underfunded and face intense pressure to protect their organization’s assets from evolving cyber threats. Most respondents are concerned about an imminent cyber attack (95%); additionally, more than half of respondents (52%) cite fear of data loss, followed by 37% indicating a loss of reputation. But only 16% claim they purchase cybersecurity solutions after an attack, noting that the cluttered marketplace, being wary of “ fast-talking salesmen selling snake oil ” and “ a lack of product effectiveness and lack of documentation,” as major impediments on the path to purchase. “Sales and marketing teams in the cyber industry require a fresh approach in how they target, message their ability to solve their customers’ cyber defense challenges -- especially in the wake of a cyber incident where vulnerability is high and time is of the essence,” said Charles Sirois of HPL Cyber. “Buyers are skeptical and they need support throughout the buying cycle to better assess the reputation of the vendor, the value proposition of the product, and the alignment of the proposed solution to the problems they are trying to solve.” Additional Survey Findings: The survey also asked buyers about what they perceive as their company’s most pressing cybersecurity gaps and weaknesses. Email attacks topped the list (30%) followed by outdated systems and insider threats. The field is crowded and while most buyers purchase directly from cyber vendors, others still use managed services providers or third-party consultants: 82% of respondents purchase cyber products directly from Cyber vendors all or some of the time and if companies do not purchase directly, half (50%) use managed service providers followed next by consultants and advisors (41%). More than half (55%) of respondents said business enablement marketing (thought leadership, case studies, etc.) is more effective than fear-based marketing, signaling that while fear can be used as an effective motivator, it should be more significantly balanced with smart, insightful thought leadership that educates, informs, and provides thoughtful solutions. If the pendulum swings too far to fear-based approaches, it will likely damage credibility and reputation of the cybersecurity brand. For more information on the Survey, please contact Ted Birkhahn at tedb@hotpaperlantern.com. Research Methodology The Hot Paper Lantern Cybersecurity Survey was conducted by the independent research arm within HPL Cyber, in collaboration with YouGov. The survey was conducted online, with a total sample size of 252 U.S. cybersecurity buyers. The survey was administered in March 2021. About HPL Cyber HPL Cyber is a specialty area within HPL focused on helping cybersecurity companies grow. We help brands break through and achieve greater relevance through a combination of deep expertise in the cybersecurity industry, a unique comprehension of buyers’ perceptions and purchasing behavior, and a marketing formula with proven success. Please visit our website for more information: https://www.hplcyber.com Contact Details HPL Cyber Matthew Panichas +1 212-931-6190 mpanichas@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.hplcyber.com/

May 18, 2021 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CSG Advances MTN’s Digital Ecosystem for Next Era of Growth and Business Transformation

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced a multi-year extension to its long-standing relationship with MTN South Africa, the largest mobile network operator in Africa. As part of this new agreement, CSG is advancing and enhancing MTN’s digital ecosystem. This includes migrating MTN’s enterprise and consumer customers to a new end-state systems architecture that will drive future growth and enable rapid delivery of innovative products and services. “MTN is at the forefront of a technological revolution, driving innovation that is reshaping the mobile experiences in South Africa,” said James Kirby, head of CSG’s EMEA business. “We look forward to continuing this iterative journey with MTN and executing on our strategy to digitally transform their business.” As MTN’s technology provider of choice for more than two decades running, CSG has led the continued transformation of MTN’s ecosystems, driving significant milestones in their journey to becoming a fully digital operator. This includes: Improved customer engagement: CSG has streamlined MTN’s processes from back-office billing to its retail store, helping them meet the demands of today’s digital customer while continuously evolving and enhancing their customer experience. Enhanced network operations: CSG’s combination of transformed technologies and a future-proof architecture has enabled MTN to foster connectivity to more customers than ever before. New revenue growth: CSG provides MTN with the agility to quickly monetise and manage communication services, resulting in expanded products and services to users and partners alike. “Continuous investment in advanced technology is critical to MTN delivering a superior customer experience, while providing the agility needed to foster growth and innovation in today’s digital economy," said Phinda Ncala, Executive: Information Technology, MTN South Africa. "As our trusted technology provider for well over a decade, we work with CSG to help lead our digital evolution and accelerate our journey to becoming a fully digitalised operator." CSG leads efforts to digitally transform business models for hundreds of customers worldwide, providing innovative managed services that automate business processes while controlling risk and costs. Through its transformation of customers’ enterprise IT and business operations, CSG gives them the ability to focus on core business functions, reducing capital and operating expenditures, while increasing the reliability, scalability, security, and overall performance of their business and network operations. # # # About CSG For more than 35 years, CSG has simplified the complexity of business, delivering innovative customer engagement solutions that help companies acquire, monetise, engage, and retain customers. Operating across more than 120 countries worldwide, CSG manages billions of critical customer interactions annually, and its award-winning suite of software and services allows companies across dozens of industries to tackle their biggest business challenges and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace. CSG is the trusted provider for driving digital innovation for hundreds of leading global brands, including Airtel Africa, América Móvil, AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DISH, Formula 1, Hutchison 3 Indonesia, Inmarsat, Mastercard, Maximus, Microsoft, Mobily, MTN, New Leaf Service Contracts, State of California DMV, TalkTalk and Telstra. To learn more, visit our website 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 that are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Tammy Hovey Global / North America / Asia-Pacific Public Relations +1 (917) 520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Kristine Østergaard Europe / Middle East / Africa Public Relations +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +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

May 18, 2021 03:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST SEEKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Comcast Arizona

As students and families across Southern Arizona look forward to summer break, Comcast is equipping multiple locations across the greater Tucson area with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” before the end of 2021. As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast is providing robust, free WiFi in nonprofit, community, and city partner locations. The Lift Zone initiative provides free connectivity inside partner centers for the next three years. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson was one of the first Lift Zones installed in Southern Arizona. The Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse has utilized their Lift Zone to keep students connected to important resources during the past school year and will continue to be a critical connection point for students throughout the summer. “Equipping our Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse with a Lift Zone has made a huge difference in the lives of the students we serve,” said Adam Ortiz, Clubhouse Director. “While some of our students have an internet connection at home, staying at home during the summer days often isn’t possible. The clubhouse is a safe space where students can come to connect to the internet, and with each other.” Comcast is currently accepting nominations for potential Lift Zone sites across Southern Arizona. Community partners can visit https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/ to learn more and nominate their organization. “Access to the Internet is a critical component of digital equity, and we’re proud to partner with key community organizations in making that possible through our Lift Zones,” said Chris Dunkeson, Area Vice President, Comcast. “There is no single answer to address the digital divide, but we’re working hard to bridge the gap for as many students and families in our Southern Arizona service footprint as possible.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect millions of low-income people to the Internet at home, including 11,600 in Southern Arizona. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Julianne Phares +1 505-218-0961 julianne_phares@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/

May 17, 2021 01:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Industrial Defender Named Hot Company in OT Vulnerability Management by Cyber Defense Magazine in the Global InfoSec Awards

Industrial Defender

Industrial Defender, an operational technology (OT) security pioneer, announced that it has received the “Hot Company in Operational Technology Vulnerability Management” award from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine.For this awards program, CDM seeks out next-generation players with new, unique technologies, rather than the ones with the most customers or money in the bank. The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of each company’s submission. “Orchestrating OEM vulnerability and patch management in OT environments is a real pain point for industrial companies,” said Jim Crowley, CEO of Industrial Defender. “Our team has worked hard to create an innovative solution to this problem, and we’re thrilled that this panel of leading cybersecurity experts from around the globe has recognized our efforts.” “Industrial Defender embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow’s threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help stop the next breach,” said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. All winners of the 9th Annual Global InfoSec Awards will be announced today at RSAC 2021. View the complete list of award winners here: http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com/ To learn more about Industrial Defender’s OT vulnerability and patch management offering, visit their website: https://www.industrialdefender.com/vulnerability-management/ About Industrial Defender Since 2006, Industrial Defender has been solving the challenge of safely collecting, monitoring, and managing OT asset data at scale, while providing cross-functional teams with a unified view of security. Their specialized solution is tailored to complex industrial control system environments by engineers with decades of hands-on OT experience. Easy integrations into the broader security and enterprise ecosystem empower IT teams with the same visibility, access, and situational awareness that they’re accustomed to on corporate networks. Learn more at www.industrialdefender.com. About CDM InfoSec Awards This is Cyber Defense Magazine’s ninth year of honoring global InfoSec innovators. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com About Cyber Defense Magazine With over 5 Million monthly readers and growing, and thousands of pages of searchable online infosec content, Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of IT Security information for B2B and B2G with our sister magazine Cyber Security Magazine for B2C. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power. Contact Details Industrial Defender Erin Anderson +1 617-675-4206 eanderson@industrialdefender.com Cyber Defense Magazine April Palanca +16465869545 marketing@cyberdefensemagazine.com Company Website https://www.industrialdefender.com

May 17, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Comcast Business Teams Up with Novva Data Centers to Help Shape the Future of Data Storage in Utah

Comcast Utah

Comcast Business today announced that Novva Data Centers — a data center provider offering wholesale and multi-tenant colocation infrastructure services — has selected Comcast Business to provide dual 100G fiber routes using fully diverse pathways to its West Jordan facility, as well as a 40G Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) connection. The Comcast Business technology will help Novva power its data center with a fully redundant path fiber-based backbone for fast, reliable connectivity to the Comcast Business network for its customers. “The collaboration between Novva and Comcast Business is indicative of the robust infrastructure and technological innovation that Utah can offer,” said Theresa A. Foxley, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “Our state has much to offer the data center industry, as well as companies that need a high-performance presence in the computing cloud.” The demand for data and its applications continually increases and managing data can be a high-cost issue for many companies. Novva is designed to be a low-cost option and offers reliable, fast and flexible solutions for its clients. Set to open in May 2021, Novva Data Center’s West Jordan data center needed a trusted industry partner to help the company provide fast and reliable connections while it grows its data footprint. Comcast Business’ services will help Novva with improved latency and speeds, as well as the peace of mind that comes with redundancy, thereby bolstering the data center company’s ability to respond to the explosion of data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other trends that are continuing to push the data colocation space. “Data is a ‘trust business,’ and that’s reflected in our partnership with Comcast Business. We trust the speed, network and the infrastructure that’s being built out,” said Wes Swenson, Founder and CEO of Novva Data Centers. “The industry recognizes Comcast as a significant player when it comes to IP routing. On top of that, our clients trust Comcast Business and have already asked for their solutions, making the partnership a simple decision for us.” With a strong technology backbone from Comcast Business, Novva Data Centers can look to the future of innovation and growth. The company has already engineered more sustainable facilities that can function without water year-round and use solar energy. In addition, Novva Data Centers plans to shift to a fully automated model and build artificial intelligence functions into their management software to monitor cooling equipment, generators, power spikes, security and more. The company also plans to expand its portfolio of campuses further over the next few years in various markets, including San Francisco. “This partnership with Novva is a significant example of how Comcast Business services can support a full spectrum of industries on a broader scale through partnerships with data centers,” said Robert Thompson, vice president of Comcast Business for the company’s Mountain West Region. “We are excited to help shape the future of data storage and use with businesses seeking to innovate and transform their industries.” For more information, please visit https://business.comcast.com/. 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. Contact Details Comcast Deneiva Knight +1 520-345-9792 deneiva_knight@comcast.com

May 17, 2021 08:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Richmond, Kentucky Adapts and Grows During Pandemic as Essential Local Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley have owned their Minuteman Press printing and marketing franchise in Richmond since May 2014. While the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly the biggest challenge for people and local businesses everywhere, Pete and Chuck managed to remain open as an essential business, adapt their products and services to what local businesses needed during the pandemic, and position themselves for sales growth both during and after the pandemic as a result of their hard work. Pete says, “At the outset of the pandemic we were as alarmed as anyone else over not only what this could do to our business but our community and even the country as a whole. The prospect of slogging through months of economic slowdowns did cause us some anxiety in the beginning. However, we remained optimistic and determined to take advantage of any unique opportunities that the pandemic presented to those of us in the print world.” He continues, “It quickly became apparent that those businesses allowed to remain open would need COVID-related printing and signs in order to both safely assist customers as well as stay in compliance with state and local ordinances. We discovered that some organizations had been allotted grant money from the Federal Government to help with pandemic-related safety requirements. We honed in on those agencies to let them know we were open as essential business and local to them. They responded well to our outreach efforts and we ended up doing a considerable volume of business printing floor decals, signs, logo-imprinted face masks, and other safety-related products. Almost every business that chose to remain open had similar pandemic-related printing needs and we wanted to do everything possible, especially for our local small businesses, to provide them everything we could to help them navigate these unchartered waters.” “We primarily grew our business in 2020 through the expanded offering of signage, floor decals, posters, direct mail, and other essential printed items. We are anticipating that 2021 will see continued growth as more and more local businesses reopen and come back online.” -Pete Cummings, co-owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Richmond, Kentucky Supporting Local Businesses During and After the Pandemic Over the past year, Minuteman Press in Richmond has continued to reach out to local businesses as they reopen. Pete says, “We’ve seen a positive response from local business owners. Many of them seem as glad to see that we are still operating and succeeding as we are trying to help them achieve their own successes through these challenging times. I think in some ways we have had a galvanizing effect for local businesses as we are all in this together. It’s that ‘can-do spirit’ that can really lift others up and we are thankful to be a part of it.” As more restrictions continue to be lifted and other local businesses reopen and recover, Pete and Chuck are ready to help them with custom printing products and marketing services. Pete says, “Because we have stayed open the entire time, Minuteman Press has the experience of helping all different types of businesses at all different phases of the pandemic. We have proven to be a valuable partner and we are excited to provide our business community with as many resources as possible to enhance their marketing and sales efforts.” Pete continues, “Now that the tide is turning on the pandemic, we are encouraging clients to resume their direct marketing efforts. As conferences and events resume, we are promoting all of our capabilities including imprinted table throws, retractable banners, trade show displays, conference-related signage, and promotional products.” Direct mail was another key area of growth that Minuteman Press in Richmond experienced during the pandemic. Pete is excited about the future prospects of direct mail as well. He says, “Surviving and flourishing during the past year has required some adaptation. Last year, direct marketing became very challenging with social distancing becoming the norm. To continue growing we looked to direct mailings as an additional revenue stream. Based on the success we saw from these efforts, we have decided to fully embrace direct mail. We would certainly encourage other businesses to utilize direct mailings as a way to ‘connect’ with potential customers as they ramp up and reopen.” “ Contrary to what some would have one believe, printing is not dead. The increased demand for direct mailings can partly be explained by the ‘contact-free’ environment of the pandemic era. With that said, I believe it also underscores how printed advertising campaigns, when utilized effectively, can yield significant results for our customers. We have also diversified our offerings with signs, promotional items, and apparel. This provides our customers with the convenience of getting everything done under one roof through someone they trust will give them the level of service and quality they expect. So, the printing industry has evolved but those who evolve with the industry will see continued success.” -Pete Cummings Meet the People Behind the Business As Pete and Chuck celebrate seven years in business this month, they reflect on their journey as well as their experiences as Minuteman Press franchise owners. One interesting thing to note is that Pete and Chuck come from two very different backgrounds and did not have any printing experience until joining the Minuteman Press family. Pete explains, “I worked at a bank for roughly ten years after graduating from college and then owned/operated an outpatient pediatric rehabilitation center, offering Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy to children. We were out of our home state of Kentucky at this time and once we had children we decided to return home. The same opportunities did not exist to operate a rehab center but I had small business ownership in my blood at that point and was actively looking for a good opportunity.” He continues, “Chuck was a school teacher for ten years and he was growing restless. He began looking for a business opportunity that would allow for more financial freedom for his family. He mentioned this to his uncle, Garry Conley, who just so happened to own a Minuteman Press franchise in London, Kentucky along with Chuck’s Aunt, Amy Conley. We sat down with Garry and he did a pretty good job explaining the benefits. It was evident he was running a profitable operation so we listened intently and after meeting with our Regional Vice President Gary Nowak, we decided to take the plunge.” “We opened in 2014 with zero customers and have seen steady growth every year since. Our rate of jobs quoted to jobs earned is very strong. We built the business, especially in the early years, heavily using direct marketing along with the Minuteman Press Internet Marketing program. Sometimes asking people for the opportunity to earn their business is all it takes to open the door to that first job. And once we get that first opportunity, we will almost always turn that person into a repeat customer either in the near future or somewhere down the road. Providing a quality product along with good, friendly service goes a long way.” -Pete Cummings As Pete reflects on the past seven years and especially 2020 when the pandemic first hit, he is thankful to be part of the Minuteman Press franchise family. He says, “We are very grateful for the efforts Minuteman Press International made fairly early on in the pandemic to help keep franchisees flourishing. There’s no question that things could have turned out differently. From continued guidance on how to operate as an essential business to initiating the free Bounce Back program to support local businesses, it was all instrumental in helping us navigate this unprecedented time.” When asked about the rewards of owning a business, Pete answers, “Financial freedom and the feeling that we can control our own destinies for us are the biggest rewards to business ownership. We can’t be the victim of a company downsize or see our jobs shipped overseas. We certainly work hard to achieve success but those efforts are going towards building something that directly benefits our families.” As for what advice he would give to local businesses right now, Pete sums it up best by saying, “Don’t lose heart. I know it has been a tough year but as more and more sectors of the economy ramp things up again, economic opportunities will return.” Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley’s Minuteman Press franchise is located at 202 Wayne Dr., Ste. A; Richmond, KY 40475. For more information, call 859-314-1172 or visit their website: https://www.richmondky.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

May 17, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Meow Wolf Announces Collaborating Artists For Denver Exhibition

Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company, announced the names of the 110 Colorado artists collaborating on Meow Wolf Denver, their highly-anticipated third permanent installation. More than 300 creatives are working to bring Meow Wolf Denver to life this fall. “Fasten your seatbelts, Meow Wolf Denver is our most ambitious project to date! With hundreds of creatives working on this massive endeavor, including overwhelming talent from local Denver-based artists, we can’t wait for guests to experience the magic confined within these uniquely shaped walls,” said Ali Rubinstein, CCO and Co-CEO of Meow Wolf. “Starting this fall, guests can explore four floors of exhibition space, with portals transporting them to worlds beyond their wildest imagination.” Opening this Fall, Meow Wolf Denver will span four floors with hundreds of installations of interactive art and include food and beverage services, retail space, and a 488 person capacity venue. Meow Wolf is looking forward to welcoming locals and tourists alike to the unique installation which adds to the exciting repertoire of what Colorado has to offer. The most narratively complex installation to date, Meow Wolf Denver worked with a variety of artists across multiple mediums to create an experience that will truly transport visitors to other worlds. These muralists, sculptors, fiber artists, and technologists came together to create a one-of-a-kind installation that will leave visitors appreciating what it really means to experience art. The exhibition includes the work of 110 Colorado-based artists with diverse backgrounds including 51% identifying as female, 20% identifying as LGBTQ+ and 38% of the Artist collaborators are People of Color based on optional survey answers. With its Denver installation, Meow Wolf celebrates both established and emerging artists, each with their own unique stories to tell. Visitors can look forward to the works of Kayln Heffernan and collaborator Gregg Ziemba with their work “Wheelchair Space Kitchen”; Cal Duran and David Ocelotl Garcia with their work “Earth Spirits of the Subconscious Mind”; Molina Speaks with their “Indigenous Futurist Dreamscape Lounge”; Mongolian collaborators Eriko Tsogo, Jennifer Tsogo, Tsogo Mijid, and Batochir Batkhishig on their work “Mongovoo Temple”; and the “Aquakota” nightclub, conceptualized by the late artist Colin Richard Ferguson Ward and completed by his collaborators Peniel Apantenco and Kim Shively in his memory. The complete Meow Wolf Denver collaborating artist lineup can be found below: Individual Collaborating Artists & Duos from Colorado: Adam Christopher Andi Todaro Ashley Frazier, Michael Sperandeo Brandan Styles "Bzurk”, Ellie Rusinova Brian Corrigan Cal Duran, David Ocelotl Garcia Cami Galofre Chris Bagley Christopher Owen Nelson, Sam Carlson Christopher Short Collin Parson Corrina Espinosa Dan Taro David Farquharson Dice 51 Douglas A. Schenck “DAS” Dylan Gebbia-Richards Frankie Toan Ian McKenna Jaime Molina, Pedro Barrios Jennifer Pettus Jess Webb Jodi Stuart, Libby Barbee Joseph Lamar Joshua Goss JUHB. Justin Camilli Justin Gitlin aka Cacheflowe Kalyn Heffernan, Gregg Ziemba Katy Zimmerman, Erika Wurth Kia Neill Kristin Stransky Laaiaim Mayer Lauri Lynnxe Murphy LORDSCIENCE UNIVERSAL Lumonics Marjorie Lair, Kyle Vincent Singer Maya Linke Myah Sarles Nicole Banowetz Nolan Tredway Ramón Bonilla Reed Fox, Ben Weirich Sabin Aell, Randy Rushton Scott Hildebrandt Sean Peuquet Shayna Cohn Sigrid Sarda Sofie Birkin Thomas Scharfenberg Viviane Le Courtois Wanderweird Wynn Earl Buzzell Jr. Collaborating Artist Groups from Colorado Andrew Novick, Pamela Webb, Robert Ayala bearwarp Chad Colby, Lexis Loeb, Hayley Kirkman Charles Kern, Ty Holter, Ben Jackson, Rachel Bilys, Brett Sasine Demiurge LLC: Joe Riche and Wynn Buzzell Eriko Tsogo, Jennifer Tsogo, Tsogo Mijid, Batochir Batkhishig F. Ria Khan, Armon Naein, Blake Gambel, Calvin Logan, Charles Candon, Harrison Bolin, Luke Collier, Maria Deslis, Sky Johnson, Sofia Rubio-Topete Ladies Fancywork Society Merhia Wiese, Annabelle Wiese, Maggie Wiese, Eunseo Zoey Kim, Dan Griner Mike Lustig, Mitch Hoffman, Tim Omspach, Nathan Koral, Evan Beloni, Ryan Elmendorf, Scott Wilson, Charlis Robbins Molina Speaks, Stevon Lucero, DJ Icewater, Felix "Fast4ward" Ayodele, Diles, Emily Swank Oren Lomena, Alaine "Skeena" Rodriguez, Alius Hu Peniel Apantenco, Kim Shively, Colin Richard Ferguson Ward, (In memoriam) Sam Caudill, Sean Louis Rove, Juancristobal Hernández Secret Love Collective: Katy Batsel, Lares Feliciano, Colby Graham, Piper Rose, Frankie Toan, Katy Zimmerman, Lauren Zwicky, Genevieve Waller The Church of Many: Andrea Thurber, Elsa Carenbauer, Anna Goss, Maddi Waneka and Emily Merlin Waffle Cone Club: Kyle Vincent Singer, Scott Kreider, Marjorie Lair Also Featuring Collaborating Artists and Groups Everything is Terrible! Kevin Bourland Michael Lujan Moment Factory Nina Mastrangelo Scott Geary, Wayne Geary, Gary Ashkin Last year, Meow Wolf was recognized in Fast Company 's 2020 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, garnering the #1 spot for Live Events. The company recently opened its second permanent installation in Las Vegas, Omega Mart which opened in February 2021. In addition to Omega Mart, Meow Wolf also re-opened their cult-favorite original experience, House of Eternal Return in March. Additional information on Meow Wolf’s first two exhibitions and tickets for the experiences are available online at https://meowwolf.com/. To receive further updates on Meow Wolf Denver, sign up at https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver Recognized in Fast Company's 2020 list of The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies, Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The company's first location in Santa Fe opened in 2016 and showcases the THEA Award-winning, international sensation, House Of Eternal Return, where two million visitors have now discovered a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds, and surreal, maximalist and mesmerizing art exhibits. In 2019, Meow Wolf expanded beyond Santa Fe and opened Kaleidoscape, the world’s first artist-driven ride at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Meow Wolf recently opened their second permanent installation, Omega Mart, at AREA15 in Las Vegas and their third permanent installation in Denver slated to open in fall 2021. Meow Wolf is proud to be the only certified B-Corporation in the themed entertainment industry, with a team dedicated to social impact and building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Contact Details Jive PR + Digital Jacki St. Thomas +1 310-625-7799 jacki@jiveprdigital.com Company Website https://meowwolf.com/

May 17, 2021 07:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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