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Roberts & Ryan Inc., America's first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned broker-dealer, is honored as a 2023 VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer

Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc.

Roberts & Ryan, Inc. has earned the VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer designation in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community. “Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. stands out from the pack as one of the best employers nationwide for veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses,” said George Altman, managing director of VETS Indexes. “As more and more employers recognize the cutting-edge technical skills and soft skills veterans bring to the workplace, the race to attract military-connected talent gets increasingly competitive. The number of organizations participating in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards more than doubled since last year – but even in this highly competitive environment, Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. distinguished itself as a leader among veteran employers and should be commended,” Altman said. “We are honored to have been selected for the VETS Index’s 5 Star Employer Rating. Our Nation’s Veterans have tremendous skills acquired while they served to protect our freedoms. When given the opportunity to reframe their skills from military to civilian service great things happen. The combination of these skills and their mission first perspective is an asset to any organization in any field. We challenge all corporations to look beyond a Veterans’ DD-214s and embrace how they can become valued employees to any company,” said Brian Rathjen, President of Roberts & Ryan. This year, a record number of 239 organizations participated in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, more than double the 118 participants in 2022. Of those, VETS Indexes recognized 200 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer. Not every responding organization made the cut – only those that demonstrated a strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities. As the most objective and comprehensive evaluation of veteran employers, the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program has set a new standard in veteran employment data. Their award results have been featured on CNBC, as well as military-specific outlets, including Military.com. Click this link to see the full slate of awardees: https://vetsindexes.com/award-results-2023 About Roberts and Ryan, Inc. Roberts & Ryan, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) broker-dealer with execution capabilities in the capital markets, equities, and fixed-income trading. The firm was founded in 1987 by a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. With over one million dollars in committed donations, Roberts & Ryan is active in donating to charitable foundations that make significant positive impacts in the lives of Veterans and their families, primarily focusing on general wellness, mental health, and career transition. Contact Details Roberts & Ryan, Inc. Michael C. Del Priore +1 646-859-4061 mdelpriore@roberts-ryan.com Company Website https://www.roberts-ryan.com

April 14, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

FEC Sued for Failure to Act on Massive Michael Bloomberg Campaign Finance Violation

Great America PAC

The Federal Election Commission has been sued to compel it to act on an administrative complaint filed against Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign - more than three years ago. The lawsuit was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Dan Backer on behalf of Great America PAC. Backer has a long history of winning FEC battles, including a 6-figure fine against Hillary for America and the Democratic National Committee for lying about their funding of the Russia hoax. The original Complaint against Michael Bloomberg (included as an Exhibit to the filing today) challenged the billionaire’s unprecedented violation of campaign finance law in which he laundered over $18 million of his personal funds through his short-lived presidential campaign account to the DNC—effectively contributing over 500 times the legal limit to a national political party committee and quite possibly tipping the balance of the 2020 presidential election. After sitting on their thumbs for 3 years – without any dispute as to the facts – the lawsuit seeks to force action before the FEC lets the statute of limitations run out. The lawsuit states in part, “…Despite the fact Michael Bloomberg has publicly admitted the material facts of his illegal scheme, the FEC has remained characteristically inert for the past three years, failing to initiate enforcement action against Bloomberg or the DNC…” “The Supreme Court, since 1976, has held that candidates can spend unlimited amounts of their own money on their own campaigns. The FEC allows candidates to deposit their money into their campaign accounts to make that happen. While campaigns can generally transfer unlimited amounts of campaign contributions they receive – from other donors - to national party committees, it didn’t create an $18 million loophole for Mike Bloomberg,” explained Dan Backer. “Federal election law allowed an individual to only contribute up to $35,500 per year to a political party – and that same limit applies to Mike Bloomberg’s transferred money. It is shameful that the FEC has allowed the “Bloomberg Billionaire Loophole” to remain unaddressed for more than three years.” “There were lots of ways Michael Bloomberg could spend more of his money that were clearly legal – including through his pet SuperPAC - but unless the FEC or courts rule otherwise this isn’t one of them. That is why we are forced to sue them, again,” Backer continued. “It shouldn’t be this easy to just buy off a political party.” “Former President Trump is beset upon by radical leftists for every imagined slight – but Michael Bloomberg has caused real damage to our campaign finance system, to the tune of $18 MM, and we’re not going to let them get away without some accountability,” Backer said. ### For more information or to interview Dan Backer please contact Gabriel Llanes at gabriel@greatamericapac.com. Contact Details Great America PAC Gabriel Llanes +1 786-522-7364 gabriel@greatamericapac.com Company Website https://www.greatamericapac.com/

April 13, 2023 04:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Industry Visionaries Share Perspectives on the Future of Marketing and Communications at The PR Net Future Focus Conference

The PR Net

The PR Net Future Focus Conference was held on March 31st at The Wall Street Hotel and brought together top global players in the marketing communications field, to discuss innovative ideas and visionary perspectives that are shaping the future of the industry. The conference featured six panels covering a range of topics from the future of media to the new rules of events, and attracted a diverse audience of senior executives from various sectors. To purchase professionally produced recordings of the conference, showcasing all panel discussions from the day for $49, click this link here. The Future of Media Moderator: Tiana Webb Evans, founder & CEO, ESP Inc. Panelists: Skye Parrott, Editor in Chief, Departures; Jessica Cruel, Editor in Chief, Allure; Erik Maza, Executive Style Director, Town & Country; Amanda Sims Clifford, Executive Editor, House Beautiful 'The Future of Media' panel assembled publishing leaders to discuss the changing landscape of media. Amanda Sims Clifford acknowledged the current state of the industry in a post-pandemic world, noting that "disruption has become a state of existence" due to the significant changes the media industry has undergone over the past few years. Jessica Cruel, Editor-in-Chief of Allure, stressed the importance of engaging with audiences across various brand touchpoints, pointing out that "Many of our readers are typing in a question on the internet and Allure's got the answer. That means we need to meet them where they are asking questions.” Erik Maza, Executive Style Director of Town & Country, shared his appreciation for the value and luxury of journalism, describing it as a "bespoke, carefully crafted product that’s expensive to produce.” Skye Parrott, Editor in Chief of Departures, shared insight into the publication's approach to bridging the gap between online and offline mediums, stating that they give the same level of attention to both digital and print features to create a luxurious experience across all touchpoints. Web3 + Metaverse: Powering Brand Marketing and Innovation Moderator: Megan DeMatteo, Independent journalist, CoinDesk Contributor Panelists: Akbar Hamid, Founder & CEO of The 5th Column; Brian Trunzo, Metaverse Lead, Polygon Labs; Neda Whitney, SVP, Head of Marketing Americas, Christie's; Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences & Partnerships, Walmart ‘Web3 + Metaverse: Powering Brand Marketing and Innovation’, presented by The 5th Column, discussed the emergence of Web3, its impact, and the importance of integrating the platform into brands' marketing approaches with longevity in mind. Akbar Hamid, the Founder & CEO of The 5th Column, stated, "Brands are slowing down the hype but actually speeding up in terms of innovation. We're seeing brands test and try different things as part of a long-term strategy, not just a one-off." Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences and Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, emphasized the importance of adopting and adapting to this new technology as a part of a future-proofed marketing strategy, saying, "I think brands that fail to embrace the metaverse today are at risk of being left behind as we enter this new era of commerce and engagement. We'll witness an interesting blend of content experiences, socializing, and commerce that have never been seen before." What's Next in Influencer Marketing? Moderator: Reesa Lake, VP, Head of Creator Expansion & Agency Partnerships, LTK Panelists: Nana Agyemang, Multimedia Journalist and CEO, EveryStylishGirl; Luke Meagher, Founder, HauteLeMode; Emily Yeston, Co-Founder & CEO, Doré; Permele Doyle, Founder & President, Billion Dollar Boy; Cynthia Andrew, Founder, Simply Cyn The 'What's Next in Influencer Marketing?' panel brought together content creators and influencer marketing experts to discuss recent developments and future predictions for the creator space. Emily Yeston, Co-Founder & CEO of Doré, a brand co-founded by Garance Doré, one of the original social media influencers, shared her thoughts on brand partnerships, stating, "There’s so much freedom for individual creators now, to have more power over what you say yes or no to." Luke Meagher, founder of HauteLeMode, emphasized the need for education and strategy when switching platforms, saying, "It doesn’t matter if people are talking about that new platform; you have to understand it. If not going completely through the door, at least crack the door to understand it." Permele Doyle shared her forward-looking predictions on the next phase of marketing spend, stating, "We’ve seen a return to earned and advocacy – clients are going to invest into gifting, seeding, press trips, events." The New Rules of Events Moderated by Jack Bedwani, founder & CEO, New Moon Panelists: Rachna Shah, Partner, Managing Director PR and Digital, KCD; Sue Chan, Founder, Care of Chan; Brian Feit, Founding Partner, BMF The 'New Rules of Events' brought together event planning and production experts to discuss the current state of post-pandemic events and best practices for success in the future. Sue Chan, Founder of Care of Chan, emphasized the importance of creating bespoke memorable experiences that cater to targeted communities and audiences, stating, "Monoculture is dead now – it’s all about niche culture. Brands are realizing they have to target niche markets in order to succeed." Rachna Shah added her perspective on the need for inclusivity and events that reach audiences beyond industry insiders, saying that "it's not just a press or VIP experience anymore – we're delivering to such a broader audience" and that "brands have to be in the market with their superfans, wherever they're located." Brian Feit, Founding Partner of BMF, rounded off the discussion by noting the influential movement of creating advertising content from the backdrop of an event, sharing, "The idea that events are to create content for ad campaigns is something new and exciting." Why Purpose & Impact Will be Inextricable from Tomorrow’s Marketing Strategy Moderator: Sophia Li, Award-winning Journalist and Climate Advocate Panelists: Janna Pea, Executive Vice President, BerlinRosen; Aidaly Sosa, Head of Marketing USA, Tony's Chocolonely; Anu Rao, SVP, Communications, Sustainability & Responsibility, Pernod Ricard During ‘Why Purpose & Impact Will be Inextricable from Tomorrow's Marketing Strategy,’ panelists discussed essential elements for brands to create an inclusive and impactful presence, including their mission, vision, purpose, team and sustainability. Janna Pea, Executive Vice President of Berlin Rosen, noted that "your North Star as a brand is to create moments and opportunities that are truly inclusive; so every person feels seen and heard." Anu Rao, SVP, Communications, Sustainability & Responsibility, Pernod Ricard, stressed the importance of prioritizing team values and beliefs, stating that "the ambassadorship for your beliefs and purpose starts with your team." By prioritizing these elements, brands can differentiate themselves from competitors, connect with customers on a deeper level, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. Aidaly Sosa, Head of Marketing USA at Tony's Chocolonely, added that their focus is on being an "impact company that sells chocolate, not the other way around." Rao emphasized the importance of "doing the right thing and doing it right" before communicating about sustainability efforts as a summary of the talk's thesis. Is Traditional PR Dead? Moderator: Elizabeth Harrison, CEO & Co-Founder, H&S Communications Panelists: Lisa Frank, President and Founding Partner, Derris; Karina Sokolovsky, Chief Communications Officer, Sotheby's; Andrew Lister, Executive Vice President, Purple PR; Gabrielle Gambrell, Senior Communications Lead, Amazon; Brian Strong, Global Head of Communications, Bloomberg Media The highly anticipated panel, 'Is Traditional PR Dead?', delved into traditional PR's role in the fast-paced communications landscape. Panelists highlighted the need to adapt to new technologies while retaining some traditional PR techniques for effective communication. Lisa Frank shared essential skills for modern professionals: "Be a voracious consumer of various outlets. Observe trends to bring to clients. Be a thoughtful, concise writer." Relationship-building and adaptability emerged as key themes. Frank urged, "Relationships – make them ongoing, not just when you need a favor." Brian Strong concurred, "Relationships are a traditional part of PR that will not go away." The conversation also touched on storytelling, audience identification, and message medium selection. Andrew Lister remarked, "PR is not just about getting stories. We now advise on everything with clients." Gabrielle Gambrell noted the enduring significance of outlets like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Discussing content selection, Gambrell advised using LinkedIn for self-publishing, while Karina Sokolovsky underscored the value of traditional media, mentioning Sotheby's success with well-placed articles in top-tier outlets, often leading to bids and clients. The Future Focus Conference was a resounding success, providing attendees with invaluable insights about the future of the marketing communications industry. The networking sessions peppered throughout the day were embraced by the audience, which included representatives from brands like Virgin Group, Airbnb, American Express, Sephora, Hilton Hotels, Dow Jones, COS, Tend, Mikimoto, Brunello Cucinelli, Small Luxury Hotels Group, Anthropologie, Four Seasons, Fritz Hansen, Proximo Spirits, Air France/KLM and Pernod Ricard, and agency leaders from MC Saatchi, Magrino, Finn Partners, Derris, Day One Agency, WE Communications, KWT Global and LaForce. ***ENDS*** PHOTOS: Socials & PR Panel: Link HERE (credit: BFA / Deonté Lee) Panels & Atmosphere: Link HERE (credit: Dusan Jovic ) Panelists: Link HERE (credit: Adele Makulova) ABOUT THE PR NET: The PR Net is the premier global network for marketing and communications professionals. It is a modern take on the classic networking club and an "industry insider favorite” for executives looking for a central platform for industry intelligence and connections. Founded by industry veteran Lisa Smith in 2015, The PR Net consists of online content that reads like a magazine, member-only services, and highly sought-after digital and in-person member events. Contact Details Sara Sturges +1 646-934-4631 ssturges@theprnet.com Company Website https://theprnet.com/

April 13, 2023 01:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Creative.ai redefines gaming video ad production using generative AI

Creative.ai

Generative AI is advancing and innovating vast swathes of work. Creative.ai has launched to bring this technology to video ads creation for mobile game publishers. Creative.ai is using generative AI to revolutionize the world of video ad production and ad analytics. Users simply need to input their desired ad parameters and then the Creative.ai AI algorithms take care of the rest; generating data-driven, measurable, and high-quality ads in a matter of minutes. Ads are produced 6x faster, enabling creative teams to focus on new concepts, while Creative.ai generates high performing iterations. All of this removes the heavy lifting and time-consuming process of manual ad production. In today's digital landscape, where Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework has reshaped online advertising, a robust and innovative creative strategy is crucial for marketers to unlock success. As privacy takes center stage and tracking signals become limited, creatives have emerged as the most critical factor in driving profitable ad spend and achieving marketing excellence. Generating data-driven, high-performing, and captivating ads to engage your target audience is now possible with the advancements in Generative Ai technology that is made accessible through Creative.ai. Creative.ai is the evolution and brainchild of Athar Zia and Jay Shah, the founders’ previous venture, BLKBOX.ai. That platform analysed millions of dollars of ad testing data to unlock the DNA of a winning ad which helped it generate the blueprint for successful ad creation, something that was previously considered a "Black Box”. With the advancements in Generative AI technology, the founders were able to take the creative blueprint they had developed and, now, produce winning ads within minutes. “Creative.ai is a Generative AI Video Platform, leveraging millions of dollars of creative testing data within the Gaming vertical to unlock the DNA of a winning ad. This allows us to build data-driven, high-performing ads in a matter of minutes, empowering businesses to take their advertising efforts to the next level. Our platform is poised to revolutionize the way businesses approach their marketing strategies, and we're excited to see the unprecedented success it will bring to our clients” commented Creative.ai co-founder & CEO Athar Zia. “Performance marketing within Gaming is extremely scientific and measurable, yet creative production, and creative measurement are still stuck in the stone age with limited knowledge of what makes a winning ad, while assuming a 95% failure rate. It’s time for the industry to evolve, and leverage the advancements in Generative AI to produce data-driven ads that are measurable and deliver scaled performance” Creative.ai was founded in January 2023 by a team of seasoned experts in the advertising and technology industries including a former Meta ads auction expert [Athar Zia], and former Meta solutions engineer [Jay Shah]. Renowned creative production expert William Hughes joined as Chief Creative Officer having worked at EA, PopCap, BigFish, Social Point, and Tilting Point across more than 59 game titles. "User-Acquisition managers and creative teams are under pressure to deliver high-performing campaigns with limited resources. However, every decision is based on human interpretation of performance data, competitor and market analysis and production limitations leading to low performance. Generative AI replaces human bias and outdated production methods allowing studios to reduce overhead, increase production volume, and improve performance, giving creatives more time to be creative." added William Hughes, Chief Creative Officer at Creative.ai The Creative.ai team is of the firm conviction that the future of Gaming advertising lies in empowering user acquisition managers with tools that enable them to generate creative iterations faster to support their growth initiatives, without requiring any creative production skills. This will expand the scope of a user acquisition manager to include data-driven creative iteration production, while allowing creative teams to focus on what they do best, which is creating new concepts for business growth. User-generated content is a key feature in today's digital landscape. Creative.ai recognizes this and plans to roll out new technology features that enable advertisers to reduce the cost and time associated with producing user-generated content. This will allow businesses of all sizes to tap into the power of user-generated content and leverage it to drive growth and engagement. “The goal is to be the one-stop-shop where you can produce, test, iterate and get analytics on your creative strategy and production.We will do this by demystifying creative challenges and helping companies scale their advertising efforts profitably. Our advanced technology can produce highly-effective ads in a fraction of the time and we can share real-time analytics that highlight the DNA of a winning ad. This two pronged approach will enable businesses to focus on growth and success. We're excited to be at the forefront of advertising innovation and are looking forward to empowering businesses with the power of generative AI.” said Athar Zia. Contact Details Creative.ai Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.trycreative.ai/

April 13, 2023 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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Unlock the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work

Fast Company Press

Diversity is a hot topic in the business world, but it has been largely restricted to meaning a diversity of experiences based on a person’s heritage, upbringing, or gender. In A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work (Fast Company Press), neuroinclusivity expert Ed Thompson examines another type of diversity that has been largely overlooked: neurodiversity—the differences in how our brains process information. World Autism Month focuses on improving the public understanding of autism and creating opportunities for those living with autism. A Hidden Force addresses this mission with insight, data, and compassion. “It's estimated that as many as one in five people may be neurodivergent in some way,” Thompson said, including people with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. “Yet functional understanding in workplaces is almost nonexistent. When organizations evolve to include talent that thinks in different ways, it benefits their productivity, increases their innovative capacity, and transforms them into a fairer and more humane place to work.” Through his research, personal experiences, and extensive interviews with neurodivergent people in the workforce, as well as other experts on neurodiversity, Thompson convincingly shows Why neurodiversity has been overlooked by society and in business until recently and why it’s so relevant, Why embracing neurodiversity will help us be part of and build more innovative and effective teams, and How we can integrate our new understanding of the topic and neuroinclusive principles into our everyday work and interactions “Since my earliest conversations with Ed, we shared a mutual vision of what neurodiversity and neuroinclusion at work would ultimately have to mean,” said Paulette Penzvalto, COO of the Google Disability Alliance. “It is our responsibility to put neuroinclusion at the forefront of team building, management training, and individual expression. It is important, belated, and exciting, from a business perspective, given the potential to help optimize team and organizational collaboration. None of us can do this alone, so make an effort to make room for those who are most vulnerable, and you might be surprised by the brilliant music you are able to create together.” A Hidden Force makes a timely, apt, and critical contribution to today’s business world. Written for business leaders, talent management professionals, and neurodivergent employees, this book shows why and how creating a work environment that welcomes the full spectrum of talent benefits everyone. “I hope the book will help you, regardless of your own thinking style, feel energized to be part of neuroinclusive teams and interactions every day,” Thompson said. “And I hope it will help you and your organization answer the same question that every organization continues to face today: How can we become a truly 21st century employer that is diverse, representative, innovative, and able to thrive in the years ahead?” Pick up your copy of A Hidden Force and stay up to date on neurodiversity training and resources by visiting uptimize.com. About the Author Ed Thompson is the founder and CEO of Uptimize, the leading neuroinclusion training company, whose mission is to help organizations embrace and leverage every type of thinker. Born and raised in London and educated at the University of Oxford, Ed founded Uptimize in 2016, recognizing the urgent need for greater understanding and appreciation of neurodiversity within the working world. His role with Uptimize has afforded him unique insights and connections with pioneers in the neurodiversity-at-work field across the world, and he is now a frequent speaker on the topic. He and Uptimize have been featured by outlets including LinkedIn, the BBC, People Management magazine, HR.com, and the Financial Times. More about Greenleaf Book Group Greenleaf Book Group is an independent publisher and distributor located in Austin, Texas, dedicated to empowering authors. Greenleaf’s hybrid publishing model is uniquely positioned to offer the benefits of both traditional publishing and self-publishing. To learn more about Greenleaf, visit www.greenleafbookgroup.com. Contact Details Greenleaf Book Group Sam Ofman +1 512-891-6100 media@greenleafbookgroup.com

April 11, 2023 10:05 AM Central Daylight Time

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Alana and Ramon Alvarez Grow Minuteman Press Franchise in Colorado Springs

Minuteman Press International Inc

Alana and Ramon Alvarez have owned their Minuteman Press franchise in Colorado Springs since August of 2019. Minuteman Press in Colorado Springs has been operating for 15 years since 2008 and is located at 6870 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80918. After taking over the business nearly 4 years ago, Alana and Ramon have consistently grown their business and increased sales “by nearly 400% since we started,” according to Ramon. Journey to Minuteman Press Alana and Ramon “met at work 31 years ago” and the rest is history, according to Ramon. He shares, “Alana is my forever partner. After leaving the company, we lived throughout the West Coast and South America throughout our time together. I continued to work in the corporate world and Alana managed our household and led the raising of our children.” In 2019, it was time for a change. Ramon says, “Fast forward to August 5, 2019. That is when we began our small business journey, owning our Minuteman Press center in Colorado Springs. Minuteman Press International RVP Jack Panzer was instrumental in helping us acquire this existing location, which has been doing business in Colorado Springs since 2008. Jack helped us throughout the purchasing and on-boarding process, just as he does now in supporting us to grow along with excellent field support talent like Todd Golberg at the time (who is now RVP in New England), and now Sky Hittle.” Operating the Business & Ongoing Support Nearly 4 years after purchasing the business, Ramon remains excited about working with Alana, sharing: “Today, Alana and I continue commuting to our business together, excited to spend quality time with each other while creating outstanding experiences for our clients, just as we did 31 years ago when we first met. We are fortunate to be serving many clients in the Pikes Peak Region, having grown our sales by nearly 400% since we started.” Specifically, Ramon says, “Our small business has evolved into a one-stop shop for our clients, providing design, print, promotional items, direct mail, and more! We are now providing vehicle and window graphics, along with building sign replacements. We won’t stop there, ensuring we continue to listen to our clients, and treating each of them like a VIP. In spite of the digital transformation that marketing has experienced, print is everywhere, and continues to be leveraged by businesses launching or striving for growth. Print simply looks different today, with a critical role in creating an omnichannel experience for clients, like adding QR codes to drive the client’s audience to a website, scheduling form, or otherwise.” As he reflects on what it’s been like to transition from the corporate world to small business owner, Ramon says, “Having led large teams with large budgets in the Americas, I felt that being a small business owner would be relatively easy. It’s actually the hardest role I’ve ever had, yet it’s the most rewarding by far.” Ramon explains how the support he’s received as a Minuteman Press franchise owner has helped him along the way: “Minuteman Press has been supporting us in many ways, setting us up for success. In my career, I was previously an operations executive and so I wanted a proven brand, a proven system, and a proven structure to allow us to succeed as small business owners. Minuteman Press International has given us all of that.” He continues, “The Minuteman Press FLEX software, which allows us to connect with our clients for quoting, invoicing, work orders, marketing, and more, has been invaluable. The support team is also outstanding in urgently reacting to our needs, as they have extensive experience and an aptitude to serve.” Marketing & Being Active in the Community When it comes to marketing the business, Ramon shares, “No silver bullet exists in marketing our small business, and Minuteman Press has supported owners successfully who may not be experts in the industry. We focus on providing outstanding experiences for our clients through our high-performing team, delivering quality, speed, and reliability. Every customer is a VIP. We leverage direct mail, use digital marketing, networking, and other marketing opportunities, just like businesses in all industries do, focusing heavily on our target audiences and key clients.” Being active in the community is also key to Alana and Ramon’s local outreach efforts. Ramon says, “We also engage with our community, advocating for local business growth through various volunteer efforts. I serve as the current Chair of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, on the Board of Directors for the Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau, on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Consult for the Pikes Peak Region Small Business Development Center, and help drive economic development in our region for our local businesses any way I can.” Ramon concludes, “By helping our community of businesses prosper, opportunities for prosperity are available for all.” Minuteman Press in Colorado Springs is located at 6870 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80918. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/co/colorado-springs20/ 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

April 10, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Nextech3D.AI announces arrangement agreement as it moves forward with spin-out of Toggle3D

Nextech3D.AI

Nextech3D.AI (CSE:NTAR, OTCQX:NEXCF) CEO Evan Gappelberg joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with news that the company has entered into an arrangement agreement with its wholly-owned subsidiary Toggle3D and a special purpose financing company, 1400330 B.C. Ltd (FinanceCo) for the spin-out of Toggle3D to a SpinCo. Gappelberg told Proactive that the spin-off of Toggle3D will give Nextech shareholders ownership in yet another exciting public company. Toggle3D already has over 1,300 users on its AI-Powered 3D design studio, which leaves it well positioned for growth in the rapidly emerging 3D everything and everywhere world, the company said. Contact Details Proactive Investors Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

April 10, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Study: Are Digital Content Creators Corporate America’s New Superpower?

MBO Partners

A new study from MBO Partners® reveals that corporate America may be overlooking a growing and significant source of hidden internal talent: digital content creators. According to MBO Partners’ 2023 Creator Economy report, part of its State of Independence research series, independent digital content creators are among the fastest growing self-employment work segment infiltrating the traditional workforce. The study found that almost six out of ten (57%) have content side gigs, along with traditional jobs. However, a stunning 41% said they definitely (15%) or probably (26%) will leave their traditional job and start a business full time in the next 24 months. The MBO Partners study also found that 8.1 million U.S. independent creators earned money in the creator economy in 2022, a 14% increase since 2021. “The creator economy is huge and growing in steadfastness day by day – with a rising majority working in stealth mode in large and mid-sized companies,” said Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners. “In fact, enterprises may be sitting on a gold mine of untapped talent and not even know it. These employees are not only highly creative and fast-moving, but they are entrepreneurial and extremely tech savvy. They have the potential to be an enterprise’s ultimate ally. But to win, employers need to first put out the welcome mat and show independents that they value modern ways of working and specialized skill sets. Next, they need to recreate their workforce models where independents are a critical component of their total talent strategy and teams.” This year’s study showed six key insights about the independent creator workforce, including: Owned media offers WOO (window of opportunity) to make more money. MBO’s data shows that while 73,000 US independent creators (the 1%) report annual income over $1 million, most creators report modest earnings, with the majority (44%) earning $10,000 or less last year as a creator. However, as companies shift their marketing strategies to focus on owned media as more affordable alternatives to paid advertising this year, there will be plenty of lucrative opportunities for creators to make extra money. There’s no “I” in team. About half of all independent creators (48%) report teaming up with other content creators on projects, versus only 23% of independent workers who aren't content creators. Looking forward, 68% of content creators plan to partner with other independent workers over the next year. That means that for companies, you are no longer just hiring a creator, you’ll be hiring a larger set of skills. Black creators are building their entrepreneurial footprint. The study revealed that in terms of ethnic and racial groups, Black Americans are more robustly represented in the creator economy (18%) compared with their U.S. population share overall (13%). As companies look to create more inclusive workplaces, there is an emerging pipeline of black entrepreneurial creative talent that exists. Make no mistake, creators will quickly adapt to ChatGPT. Eighty-seven of creators report being early adopters of technology, so this is an early indication that they are already learning how to embrace the opportunity of ChatGPT. This compares to only 34% of traditional employees and 37% of independent workers as early technology adopters. By tapping into creators, companies can leverage emerging trends and quickly respond to market demands. Digital nomadism is the new manifesto for mental health. While traditional workers are quiet quitting and hush tripping, take a page from the creators whose job burnout and mental health issues have been widely documented. Over eight in ten independent creators (84%) prefer a location-independent lifestyle that allows them to work and travel at the same time. So, it comes as no surprise that almost two-thirds (63%) report they are currently a digital nomad and over 90% report feeling highly satisfied (83%) or satisfied (9%) with their work. At last, a new era of creative renegades has arrived. While only 1 in 10 creators makes more than $100,000 per year, 83% plan to continue as an independent creator (57%) or build a bigger creator business (26%) over the next 2-3 years. Seventy-nine percent report being optimistic about the future. To obtain a copy of the 2023 MBO Partners Creator Economy research report, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/creator-economy-report/. About MBO Partners® MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit mbopartners.com. About MBO Partners® MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit mbopartners.com Contact Details Words For Hire for MBO Partners Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 karen@wordsforhirellc.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

April 05, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Wishpond adds to company technology with the launch of new AI-powered Website Builder

Wishpond Technologies Ltd.

Wishpond Technologies CEO Ali Tajskandar joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has launched another key platform in the form of an AI-powered Website Builder. Tajskandar tells Proactive the Website Builder will make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to build marketing optimized websites within minutes. This is available within the Propel IQ platform and for a limited time is free. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

April 04, 2023 12:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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