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Correcting and Replacing: Travel Expert Dayvee Sutton Provides Tips to Plan Summer Vacations on a Budget

YourUpdateTV

(Correcting to include video)- After a year of being stuck at home, Americans are more eager than ever to get back to traveling this summer. A new survey from the payment network Affirm found 75% of respondents plan to go on at least one vacation this summer, and consumers will spend more money on travel than any other category. With the travel boom causing an increase in booking rates, it’s more important than ever to not overextend your budget in all the excitement of being able to travel again. A video accompanying this release can be found here: https://youtu.be/8S26C8ILWMo More Findings from Affirm’s Summer Survey: Vacations are the #1 activity consumers are most looking forward to this summer Respondents plan to spend the most money this summer on travel (41%), followed by going out to eat (38%) and a new summer wardrobe (35%) Nearly half (45%) of Americans plan to spend more money this summer than the past two combined 41% are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution this summer to help them spend responsibly, and 1 in 4 are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution to book travel Emmy Award-winning journalist, Dayvee Sutton, whose travel advice is featured regularly on national programs such as NBC News, Today, CNN and The Weather Channel has partnered with Affirm to give budget-friendly summer travel advice. Here are some of her tips: Take advantage of modern, flexible payment options. Overall, rates for flights and hotels are up because consumers are so eager to travel. But, there are new payment tools you can use to not overextend your budget. Dayvee recommends Affirm, and has partnered with them because it can help you stay in control of your finances by letting you spread out the cost of flights, hotels, homestays and travel experiences into biweekly or monthly payments with interest options as low as 0% APR for eligible consumers. Affirm can give you the flexibility to book vacations now and pay at your own pace on Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations and more. With Affirm, you know exactly what you’ll pay upfront, and that number never changes – there are no late or hidden fees. Know when to book and track your airfare to get the best deals. The most expensive part of your trip will likely be the flight. Book as early as you can and opt for mid-week flights. A study from CheapOAir found the best time to book a flight is between 21 and 95 days before the trip. And traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday, rather than the weekend, will not only be cheaper, but less crowded. Be prepared but remain flexible. Research social distancing protocols for theme parks, museums, and other attractions before you arrive, since many venues require you to reserve tickets early. Try to find low-cost activities in advance, such as walking tours and natural parks. Remember to leave room for unexpected costs in your budget – if you’re traveling internationally, set aside money for COVID tests before re-entering U.S., which can cost anywhere from $50 - $150 per person. Embrace summer road trips. With airfare on the rise, taking a road trip to smaller destinations is a great budget-friendly option for families. To save even more on the road, pack your own food and snacks ahead of time. You can also use Affirm to pay at your own pace for road trip essentials at Walmart, Target and other retailers. About Dayvee Sutton: Dayvee Sutton is a highly sought-after and award-winning media personality and journalist covering travel, culture and the environment. Dayvee has contributed her expertise to outlets such as the U.S. News and World Report, AOL, Yahoo, ESPN, The Root, NBA.com, Black Enterprise, NBC News and USA TODAY Network. She is the go-to on-air travel expert for several national programs, including NBC News and TODAY, CNN and HLN, The Weather Channel and Dr. Oz. About Affirm: Affirm is a transparent alternative to credit cards that can give travelers the flexibility to book vacations now and pay over time, without any late or hidden fees. Affirm lets eligible consumers spread out the cost of flights, accommodations, experiences and more into biweekly or monthly payments at Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations, and more. If approved, Affirm can help you stay in budget by letting you pay on a schedule that works best for you, and never charges you more than you agree to upfront. More Background: Affirm’s mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network — one based on trust, transparency and putting people first — we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we show consumers exactly what they will pay up front, never increase that amount, and never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lender license. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 17, 2021 03:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST AND FAMILY PROMISE OF SPOKANE LAUNCH FREE WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” AT LOCAL SHELTERS

Comcast Washington

Comcast Washington and Family Promise of Spokane today announced the opening of WiFi-connected Lift Zones at three family shelters across the City of Spokane. Comcast is equipping the Family Promise shelters with free robust WiFi technology that will help dozens of vulnerable students participate in distance learning and do their homework, and ensure adults and families are able to access needed online resources as they seek to transition into a stable home. In addition to Lift Zones, Comcast is providing new laptop computers to support the Family Promise of Spokane transitional housing program. The new devices provide families transitioning into permanent housing with technology that they can use for schooling, seeking jobs, applying for assistance programs, and more. The COVID-19 crisis has also worsened the gap in access to internet and technology that adults and families living in homelessness experience. Comcast Lift Zones are uniquely positioned to address this issue by providing robust WiFi technology for free in community centers that lack consistent access to the internet. Lift Zones at the following shelters will offer internet connectivity and technology access in a safe and positive place and strengthen Family Promise of Spokane’s efforts to help families transition from homelessness into a more stable situation: The Mission House– 2012 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 Open Doors Family Emergency Shelter– 2002 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 The Harston House – 904 E Hartson Ave Spokane, WA 99202 “For the families we serve, the internet is a key tool that helps them connect to so many different resources they need. From online learning for their kids, to finding housing and employment, to applying for government support and resources, it is invaluable, especially during this global pandemic,” said Joe Ader, Executive Director, Family Promise of Spokane. “By providing free connectivity to families, Comcast is helping us make a tremendous impact at a time of when it is deeply needed.” The new robust WiFi coverage is so effective it has reduced the number of troubleshooting cases the IT and Data Systems team manages for families onsite, allowing it to focus on other programs the shelter is building to address homelessness in Spokane County. “Internet is one of the most important resources we offer our clients and prior to the Comcast Lift Zone technology we would typically have roughly 60 connectivity troubleshooting issues in a given week,” said J Wylie, IT and Data Systems Manager for Family Promise of Spokane. “The new WiFi connection has greatly reduced these issues, allowing my team to focus on other technology and data projects that will help us better understand and serve our local vulnerable community members.” “Our work with Family Promise over the last several years has been focused on addressing digital equity gaps, by providing affordable internet connectivity to local families transitioning out of homeless,” said Kris Workman, Senior Director, Comcast in Spokane. “By opening Lift Zones at these shelters, we can take that work one step further by powering these Family Promise buildings with robust WiFi connectivity that their families can use while they are onsite.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet in and outside of the home. Comcast plans to complete 80 Lift Zones in Washington by the end of 2021. Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million people in America to broadband internet at home, including 60,000 in Spokane County. Today’s announcement also 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.   For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials About Family Promise of Spokane Family Promise of Spokane helps local communities coordinate their compassion to address the root causes of family homelessness. The organization taps existing local resources to empower families towards economic stability. Families come to them in crisis; Family Promise of Spokane helps them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support. The nonprofit addresses the issue holistically, providing prevention services before families reach crisis, shelter and case management when they become homeless, and stabilization programs once they have secured housing to ensure they remain independent. For more information visit www.familypromiseofspokane.org/ 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 Washington Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com Family Promise of Spokane Craig Howard +15097683083 choward@familypromiseofspokane.org Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

June 16, 2021 05:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Accelerated Wealth Advisors welcomes Mackenzie Bekeza, CFP®

Accelerated Wealth

Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC (AWA) announced today that Wealth Advisor Mackenzie “Mack” Bekeza has joined AWA to help clients achieve their retirement goals. “We believe Mack is a great addition to our team and more importantly will bring significant value to our clients,” said Accelerated Wealth’s Financial Advisor Dustin West with whom Mack will partner to serve clients. “AWA has taken great care to create an outstanding team to assist our clients over multiple business cycles. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Mack will make sure our clients are informed, empowered and have plans to ensure they don’t have to worry during their golden years. We extend a warm welcome to Mack and know he will help clients plan for their financial future.” Mack has been serving in the Financial Planning industry since he graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning (CFP® Board Registered Program). Bekeza added, “I believe active investment management is needed to achieve consistent returns from inconsistent markets. As an independent firm with time tested strategies and access to a variety of investment solutions, Accelerated Wealth provides objective advice and crucial wealth management services for our clients.” About Accelerated Wealth Advisors (AWA) Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC is a Colorado Springs based wealth strategy firm dedicated to providing effective strategies to help its clients make wise financial decisions. AWA’s business practices and culture are driven by its core values of faith, integrity, relationships, vision, excellence and being coachable. AWA is headquartered in Colorado Springs with four offices located in three states including additional Colorado offices in Lone Tree and Englewood. For more information please visit www.acceleratedwealth.com or Facebook. All Rights Reserved. Advisory services are offered through Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC and Accelerated Wealth, LLC are affiliated entities and do not provide legal or tax advice. The information contained herein is obtained from sources deemed to be reliable. Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC and Accelerated Wealth, LLC cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information being presented. Not an offer to buy or a solicitation to sell securities. See your accountant or legal counsel for tax or legal advice. Not affiliated with or approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. All investing involves risk. Contact Details Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC Sloane Herman +1 719-466-5639 sloaneh@acceleratedwealth.com Company Website https://www.acceleratedwealth.com

June 15, 2021 01:05 PM Mountain Daylight Time

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New Research from HPL Digital Sport Finds Divide Between Sports Betting Executives and Bettors on How to Acquire and Retain Users

HPL Digital Sport

Today, HPL Digital Sport (HPLDS), a specialty group within Hot Paper Lantern, that helps sports betting, fantasy sports and sports technology companies create greater brand relevance, released its new study “ 2021 State of the Sports Betting Industry - Executive Perceptions vs. User Realities. ” Two separate surveys were conducted to create the study: the first, developed in partnership with SBC Americas, is a first-of-its-kind report measuring the perceptions and attitudes of nearly 200 sports betting executives; a second survey, facilitated by YouGov, on behalf of HPLDS, questioned more than 800 American sports bettors, asking their opinions on how to best engage with them and retain their business, future betting capabilities needs and their betting habits and preferences. The data found that sports betting executives and sports bettors were not aligned on what is most important in acquiring and retaining users. Executives resoundingly said that having a superior product (55%) was the key to gaining users more than other elements like having strong customer service (13%), content (12%) or brand (11%). Bettors countered that sentiment, indicating that brand reputation and trust (47%) among betting sites/platforms was the most important factor in engaging them and retaining their attention. “The sports betting market in the US is extremely competitive. Our data found that the average sports bettor limits their use to only two to three sports betting platforms. So, it’s clearly important for these platforms to better be in tune with their audiences to create greater appeal to both acquire and retain their business,” said Ed Moed, CEO of HPLDS. “Having a compelling, user-friendly product will always be important to build a larger share of this growing sports betting audience. But, it feels like this could be happening at the expense of investing in their brands. The data doesn’t lie. This is a real problem with any strategy that doesn’t include figuring out ways to create greater brand relevance within this hotly competitive space.” Apart from the divide on the topic of product vs. brand, the study uncovered compelling insights on the future capabilities in sports betting, how different demographics view the importance of certain sports betting elements, how women bettors as an audience are growing and are being overlooked and the constant presence of the illegal sports betting markets. Future capabilities of sports betting Three-fourths (75%) of executives stated that they are planning to launch new products, innovations, technology or gameplay in 2021. Technology providers, content producers and data providers are all signaling a major push towards in-play betting and in-stadium/arena lounges. Bettors indicated that while they are excited about elevated betting experiences like in-play betting, when asked about future sports betting capabilities, having more social betting experiences rose to the forefront. Social betting (31%) and retail betting (31%) outpaced more popular media talking points like in-play betting (26%), loyalty programs (25%) and in-stadium/arena betting (24%). Creating differentiation by targeting specific demographic preferences When asking bettors about their overall experience and ranking the importance of certain sports betting elements leading them to frequently using a betting site or app, users provided a roadmap for how companies should think about targeting them. General Public Retention Roadmap Brand reputation/trust - 47% High level product/experience - 45% Ease of financial transactions - 43% Better odds and promotions - 38% Expert content - 35% Referred by friends or family - 34% Social media content that drives me to engage with the brand - 33% I like their advertisements/celebrity endorsements - 30% Breaking down that road map by age and gender it becomes clear that not all bettors find the same elements important. Gen Z, for instance, doesn’t view brand as important as other groups. While every other demographic listed brand reputation/trust (Millennials - 46%; Gen X - 53%; Boomers - 56%) as its most important retention factor. Conversely, Gen Z views referrals by family or friends (42%) as more important than brand (39%). The social experience of sports betting for Gen Z and Millennials is heightened even more when looking at how they view social media content compared to the Gen X and Boomer markets. Both Gen Z and Millennials (38%) noted social media that drives them to engage with the brand as a leading retention factor. Gen X (22%) and Boomers (14%) however don’t see the value in social media and listed it at the bottom of their priorities. Boomers and Gen X audiences follow traditional thinking surrounding sports betting, which is more functional and practical than the social experience prioritized by Gen Z and Millennials. Both Boomers (50%) and Gen X (47%) feel that odds and promotions are an important part of their experience, while odds seem to be deprioritized by Millennials (38%) and Gen Z (28%). “The potential for in-play betting in the American market is incredible,” said Moed. “While bettors are excited about in-play betting, the data shows that bettors are looking for an immersive social betting experience including retail betting and betting with friends and family. The importance of social interaction, content and sharing capabilities and social betting, should not be downplayed or overlooked.” Women bettors - An underserved market While most sports betting messaging is general or leaning male, women bettors are gaining ground as a significant segment of the market. The study found that one-in-three (33%) bettors are women. That is an increase of 5-points from HPLDS’ State of the New Sports Bettor study released in May 2020. When it comes to the most active bettors, ones that make daily bets, women (17%) are evenly split with men (18%). The data also shows that women bettors show many similarities with male bettors compared to the importance of brand, product, and ease of financial transactions. But women deviate their priorities from men when it comes to the importance of social components in sports betting. Women bettors prioritize friends and family referrals (41% women vs. 31% men) and the use of engaging social media content (38% women vs. 30% men) to keep them interested in frequenting a particular betting site or app. “The industry can’t continue to afford overlooking the growing number of women bettors in the market,” said Moed. “The audience is clearly telling us that they need to be able to trust the platforms they use. And, that trust often comes from referrals and those who are credible through social media. I don’t know if the typical promo advertising that is prevalent will work with this pickier audience. Instead, they will believe brands that are deemed as credible and recommended by many who matter.” The Continued Prominence of the Black and Gray Market Bettors stated that betting through illegal markets is still a prominent channel in 2021. More than a third of bettors are using illegal channels to place a bet (20% of bettors use offshore sportsbooks and 17% use a bookie). “We have a long way to go when more than one-third of our sample is using illegal or off-shore resources to bet,” said Moed. “I think some of this is quite normal and as the industry continues to build momentum and experience enormous growth, bettors will quite naturally turn to platforms that are legal here in the U.S. But, even if this percentage is cut in half, it means that there is still a large part of the betting population who needs to be communicated to, educated and turned towards this marketplace.” For more information on HPLDS and to view the report please visit, hpldigitalsport.com. About HPL Digital Sport Hot Paper Lantern Digital Sport is a specialty group within Hot Paper Lantern (HPL) that works with sports betting, fantasy and sports technology brands to build greater brand relevance and acquire new audiences. The group’s unique value proposition is how it leverages years of deep expertise in this category with the way it integrates specific services such as: strategic branding, customer research/analytics, performance marketing, public relations and social media strategy, experiential and high level creative design to generate results. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.hpldigitalsport.com/

June 14, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Impact of Hearing Loss and What You Can Do About It

YourUpdateTV

Hearing loss has been shown to affect nearly every dimension of human life, including physical, emotional and mental health. Recently, World Champion and Olympic Kayaker, Eric Jackson, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss his own battle with hearing loss and the importance of getting your hearing tested. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0Ewdu9hNHF8 Hearing loss is the most common neurologic disorder in the world, affecting around 460 million people. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 37.5 million adults report some trouble hearing. Experts note that hearing loss is an undertreated condition, with an estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults with mild to severe hearing loss could serve to benefit from hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss brings higher risk of dementia, depression, memory loss, injury, and cognitive decline. There are several reasons for delay in addressing hearing loss, including recognizing and accepting that one may have hearing loss, having access to Hearing Care Professionals, and misperceptions associated with hearing aids. For Eric Jackson, hearing loss has been a lifelong battle. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted Scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 57 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids like ReSound ONE as necessary tools to help him communicate. All of ReSound’s hearing aids are designed with the person in mind, and is made to be discreet, comfortable, durable and functional. Hearing quality is the foundation for ReSound hearing aids, providing unmatched hearing quality, emulating the way humans hear sound. For more information, visit resound.com/online-hearing-test About Eric Jackson: Eric Jackson is a four-time world champion and an Olympian who has dominated the whitewater kayaking scene for the past three decades. Eric has received numerous accolades for kayaking, including two Everest Awards and the World Paddle Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and hosts his own popular videos on YouTube. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 54 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids and lipreading as tools to help him communicate. Eric has never let hearing loss stop him from enjoying life and pursuing his ambitions. Today, Eric spends his free time helping others achieve their goals, coaching the winners of almost every gold medal winner in freestyle kayaking over the past 15 years, including his two children. Eric’s son, 27-year-old Dane, a world champion kayaker himself, also lives with severe hearing loss which he has had since birth About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 11, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA) Advocates for Transition of Skill Games to Regulated Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs)

Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA)

The Pennsylvania Video Gaming Association (PaVGA), the statewide trade association representing manufacturers, distributors and operators of video gaming terminals, continues to support legislation to ensure that skill games are subject to the same regulatory requirements as gambling devices. Currently, skill games are not regulated by any state agency and are not subject to gaming taxes on net revenues as are slot machines, video gaming terminals (VGTs) and iGaming platforms. “Regulation would provide much-needed revenue to small businesses like bars, restaurants and veterans’ clubs, which would benefit from VGTs in those locations. The anticipated revenue from VGTs versus skill games is substantial,” stated PaVGA Executive Director Denise Calabrese. The operation of these games in bars, clubs and restaurants will provide a viable, sustainable revenue stream for struggling establishments who have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a stable base of new revenues to the Commonwealth. “Because there has been no alternative sustainable option to gaming revenue for bars, veterans’ clubs, and restaurants throughout Pennsylvania, those venues have turned to the skill game industry for that revenue,” Calabrese explained. “The issue is that these devices, and the companies that own and manufacture them, are not regulated and there is no oversight of those companies, the individual’s who own those companies, or the devices. Pennsylvania’s bars, restaurants and veterans’ clubs, Pennsylvania Operators, and the thousands of consumers who choose this form of entertainment, deserve to know that their gaming options are being overseen by a government agency and that proper protocols are in place to protect them.” PaVGA believes that the Pennsylvania General Assembly needs to pass legislation with urgency to resolve this issue and ensure that any gaming devices operated in the Commonwealth are subject to the full oversight of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). During a Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee hearing on June 7, a Pennsylvania Senator stated there could be as many as 55,000 unregulated skill games currently in operation in Pennsylvania. While opponents to skill game regulation warn of detrimental impacts to the Pennsylvania Lottery and casinos, both continue to realize record high revenues. Furthermore, the same operator-based model PaVGA is advocating for in Pennsylvania has been successfully implemented in Illinois with negligible impact on the revenues of the lottery or casinos. “All we want to do is bring these unregulated games under the purview of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to ensure that adequate protections are in place for consumers, establishments and operators,” Calabrese said. “This is more about applying equal standards to skill and gambling operations in the Commonwealth than it is VGT expansion. We have a statutory and regulatory structure already in place in the Commonwealth that provides for the safe, fair and equitable operation of VGTs. Skill games should be brought under that construct and be treated just like current gambling devices.” Contact Details Michelle Keyser Director of Communications +1 717-724-9166 communications@pavga.org

June 11, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Phantom Fireworks Urges Shoppers to Buy Early Amid Possible Fireworks Shortage as America Celebrates Fourth of July with Lowest Pandemic Rates in over a Year

Phantom Fireworks

The US’s largest consumer based retail fireworks company urges customers to shop for fireworks supplies early - as the industry, like many other industries, faces supply chain issues with global shipment delays Phantom Fireworks stores and retailers across the nation are ready to support shoppers seeking fireworks to celebrate the season - with extended store hours, in person shopping opportunities and additional staff to help fireworks buyers select the best products for their needs Fourth of July, America’s holiday, promises to be especially celebratory this year, as the nation reaches a key milestone in its recovery from the pandemic Phantom Fireworks, the country’s top consumer fireworks retailer, is urging shoppers to purchase their fireworks early this season as supply chains face slower turn-around times due to lagging global shipments spanning numerous industries. Despite shipment timing concerns, Phantom Fireworks still anticipates ample supplies of fireworks products available for a successful, safe and celebratory season - particularly as the nation’s leaders have designated this year’s holiday as the unofficial return to normal following the pandemic year. “Like many other industries, the fireworks industry has also experienced delays due to shipment challenges facing the global market,” said Alan L. Zoldan, Phantom Executive Vice President. “The good news is that we prepared early in anticipation of high demand again this year, and are encouraging Phantom customers to do the same. We are always excited to be a big part of America’s favorite holiday - the Fourth of July, especially meaningful following the 2020 pandemic summer.” Last year’s personal fireworks sales surged to record rates industry wide, including at Phantom Fireworks. Many communities had public fireworks displays postponed and cancelled at the height of the pandemic, and sporting events, amusement parks and concerts all but disappeared. Phantom Fireworks adapted to the 2020 pandemic surge by offering a variety of purchase options online and pick-up and offering in-store pandemic-friendly hours. This year’s Independence Day holiday is showing similar momentum as national leaders, including President Biden, have declared the summer holiday as the beginning point for the nation to “mark our independence” from the virus. Because of the high demand, Phantom Fireworks has been preparing for the season with additional store openings, early shopping incentives and updated inventory, despite the emergence of supply chain challenges. Company leaders are confident that planning ahead, and early shopping will allow for the supply to hold and avoid shortages of products as the holiday approaches. “Unlike last summer, we’re hopeful that most families can celebrate this Fourth of July season together,” said Bruce J. Zoldan, Phantom President. “Phantom Fireworks stands ready to help Americans turn the page this year - to enjoy our nation’s favorite summer holiday in their individual communities safely with Phantom Fireworks products - and with a promising future for the year ahead.” To follow Phantom Fireworks on social media, visit us on Twitter ( www.twitter.com/Fireworks ), Instagram ( www.instagram.com/phantomfireworks ) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/fireworks ). For additional information on open stores and information on this year’s shopping process, visit: www.fireworks.com About Phantom Fireworks Phantom Fireworks is the top consumer fireworks retailer in the country with retail stores in fifteen states and is also the major July 4th product supplier to several national retail chains in all states that permit the sale of consumer fireworks. Each state has different laws and guidelines that regulate both the industry as well as the new COVID-19 reopening regulations. Phantom has a comprehensive and easy-to-find listing of state protocols on their website: https://fireworks.com/education-and-safety/state-laws-and-regulations Contact Details Amelia Hoffman AHoffman@fireworks.com Company Website http://www.fireworks.com/

June 10, 2021 02:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

World’s largest product discovery platform RangeMe opens UK retailers to over 750,000 products

RangeMe

The world’s largest product discovery and sourcing platform RangeMe has launched in the UK today. Buyers at British retailers will now be able to source over 750,000 products and connect with more than 200,000 suppliers to fill their shopping aisles and online stores with curated products meeting consumer demand. Buyers at high street chain LloydsPharmacy are currently partnering with RangeMe. RangeMe first launched in 2013 and is used today by over 12,000 retailers in the U.S., including Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, and Albertsons. It has quickly established itself as the industry leader for retail product discovery and sourcing by becoming the world’s largest source of brands and products purchased by buyers in the US. RangeMe helps retailers and their buying teams scale product sourcing efforts with streamlined submissions, simplified discovery tools, and the industry standard digital sell sheet. RangeMe enables buyers to filter searches to find brands meeting exact sourcing needs, enables seamless connectivity and collaboration with suppliers and provides curated collections to help identify and understand category trends and emerging brands. “Consumers are looking for a variety of products from all over the world and sourcing them online. The British public is no different, yet high street retailers have struggled to offer these products in store or online principally because they don’t have sight of all that’s available in the market. RangeMe will change this for retailers bringing more choice to shopping aisles and a significant revenue opportunity,” said Nicky Jackson, CEO of RangeMe. “We will pick up the heavy lifting for buyers and present the global product market opportunity in one screen”. LloydsPharmacy which caters to the medical, lifestyle and well-being needs of millions of people in the UK is an early adopter of the RangeMe platform. “We pride ourselves on offering the widest range of products that meet the highest standards for consumers. RangeMe is already helping us to identify a wider spread of products for our customers. Equally importantly, we will quickly scale our buying operations through the platform and reduce the time to get more products on our shelves” added John Acland, Head of Category Management and eCommerce at McKesson UK, parent company to LloydsPharmacy. RangeMe also invites British suppliers to join the platform for a front-row audience of the biggest high street retailers. It is a single place to represent their brand and products to a network of thousands of retail buyers. RangeMe helps suppliers grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools and insights to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. RangeMe is the global online platform where retailers and suppliers can discover, connect, and grow their business. Suppliers can showcase their range, bring new products to market, increase brand visibility, and grow sales, while buyers use RangeMe to discover new products, search trends, and communicate directly with brands. “Our mission has always been to empower retailers and suppliers to be productive and successful. The world has become a smaller place but it remains distant for forging strong cross border buyer and seller relationships. RangeMe will bridge this gap for buyers and sellers around the world and ensure extraordinary products hit store shelves, faster than ever before” added Nicky Jackson. About RangeMe RangeMe, an ECRM company, is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. Now integrated into the ECRM product offering, RangeMe adds increased breadth and depth to the industry's most complete sourcing solution for top retailers and product suppliers. Contact Details RangeMe Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.rangeme.com/

June 09, 2021 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SCIENTISTS WORLDWIDE PLEDGE THEIR TRUST IN SCIENCE IN CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LIGHT

International Day of Light Steering Committee

The UNESCO International Day of Light on May 16 th celebrated the worldwide campaign promoting the importance of science and the scientific process for society and sustainable development. The Trust Science pledge saw supporters of science worldwide join together to affirm their appreciation for science. Notable signatories include Nobel and Breakthrough laureates, UNESCO prizewinners, CEOs, representatives from scientific societies and academies, individual scientists and students from nearly 100 countries. “After a year in which we have seen science lead the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, we thought it was essential to highlight the importance of trusting its methods in guiding decisions,” said Steering Committee Chair John Dudley. “The pledge focuses particularly on science’s role in improving quality of life, a sentiment that clearly resonates around the world.” The International Day of Light recognizes the value of light science and technology and its role in providing clean energy, clean water, high-speed connectivity and medical treatments. The day was celebrated with events and hands-on activities in more than 55 countries. The International Day of Light also highlighted the achievements of a number of Champions of Science, individuals from all fields whose work is changing the world. “As a scientist, seeing this kind of support for the scientific process is inspiring,” said Neysha Lobo-Ploch, FBH Berlin, UVphotonics NT GmbH, Germany and LightDay 2021 champion. “I’m honored to have my work acknowledged in this way.” After its initial launch with the International Day of Light, the #TrustScience campaign will continue throughout 2021, and scientists worldwide will be organising targeted actions throughout the year. Dudley explains, “A central aim of this initiative has been to remind members of the scientific community that we share a responsibility to ensure that the public has confidence in science and its outcomes. It is up to us to explain how science works and why it can be trusted.” The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media inquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (LightDay)is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Thorlabs, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela Bethany Downer 2021 Steering Committee Chairs 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org Company Website https://www.trust-science.org

June 08, 2021 09:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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