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The Return to Cruising is On the Horizon

YourUpdateTV

This past year, many travelers have spent a lot of time destination daydreaming, but now is the time to start making those dreams into reality. Recently, Travel Expert Michaela Guzy teamed with Norwegian Cruise Line and YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss the future of cruise vacations, planning ahead, and details about Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest innovative ship, Norwegian Prima. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/K_H4dVkPjrM “This summer, cruising is back!,” said Michaela Guzy, travel expert and founder of Oh the People You Meet. “It is one of the best ways to make up for missed travels, as one of the beauties of cruising is visiting multiple destinations on one trip. With a wide variety of experiences readily available on board, you can easily design your ideal vacation with little or no additional planning. From relaxing poolside or at the spa, eating your way deck-by-deck, enjoying Broadway-caliber entertainment, or experiencing the numerous activities on board – there is something for everyone.” Norwegian Cruise Line sails to more than 300 destinations worldwide offering a wide variety of itineraries to buck-list destinations. Beginning July 25, 2021, the Company will sail the Greek Isles with seven-day voyages from Athens (Piraeus), Greece. Travelers can spend their summer exploring the ancient ruins and learning more about Greek Mediterranean culture through its local food and people. New week-long itineraries to the Caribbean from Montego Bay, Jamaica begin Aug. 7, 2021 and from Punta Cana (La Romana), Dominican Republic starting on Aug. 15, 2021. The Cruise Line also announced that its newest ship – Norwegian Prima – will debut the summer of 2022. As the first of the Company’s newest class of ships in nearly 10 years, Norwegian Prima will offer guests exciting itineraries to Northern Europe, Bermuda and the Caribbean, as well as the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories. She will also deliver Brand-first experiences that bring guests closer to the water with Ocean Boulevard, Indulge Food Hall, The Concourse, Infinity Beach and Oceanwalk. Norwegian Prima will not only offer the largest variety of suite categories available at sea but will also boast a redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s ultra-premium keycard only access ship-within-a-ship concept. The Haven will feature an expansive sundeck, a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ship's wake and an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room. For additional details and a list of itineraries, rendered images and video content of the all-new Norwegian Prima, please click here. For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line ships and their itineraries, or to book a long awaited cruise vacation, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. About Michaela Guzy: Michaela Guzy is the founder of OhThePeopleYouMeet, a content company that focuses on people, places + purposes. In her award winning series, “Michaela's Map”, she curates the local hosts you are supposed to meet when traveling -- from local chefs and street artists, to her film featuring Dr. Jane Goodall and the person working to save baby sea turtles and teach your kids about them. In response to COVID-19 she launched a NEW trending IGTV show called InspirationStation: with 115 episodes + over 5.5 million+ views! Each episode navigates credible sources of information, resources to make the new and next normal brighter + more balanced and always connecting viewers with an inspiring person they ought to meet. She speaks at conferences across the globe, teaches travel storytelling at NYU and has appeared on multiple morning shows across the country sharing her sustainable and immersive travel tips, such as on: CBS New York, Fox2Now St. Louis, PIX 11 New York, WJLA Good Morning Washington DC, WTNH Good Morning Connecticut, and KTNV The Morning Blend Las Vegas. About Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line has been the premier innovator in the cruise line industry for over 54 years. We were the first to eliminate set dining times and provide guests with the freedom to cruise on their schedule to over 450 incredible destinations around the world. Our award-winning fleet provides an unparalleled onboard experience and will continue to expand with the introduction of Norwegian Encore in 2019 and the arrival of our Leonardo Class ships starting in 2022. Guests are welcomed aboard with a wide variety of complimentary and specialty dining options, entertainment that ranges from live music and comedy to shows straight from Broadway and our wide range of accommodations that are perfect for any type of traveler. In the coming years, Norwegian’s commitment to innovation will continue to raise the bar for the cruise industry. 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

May 20, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Social Video-At-Scale Platform StoryTap Scales Up With Seed Round led by Refinery Ventures and StandUp Ventures

StoryTap Technologies Inc.

StoryTap, whose patented video storytelling platform enables well-known brands to engage and grow by harnessing the power of authentic social video stories at a global scale, has announced a seed funding round, led by Refinery Ventures and co-led by StandUp Ventures. Refinery Ventures Managing Partner Tim Schigel and StandUp Ventures Managing Director Michelle McBane have joined the StoryTap Board. The US$2.3 million round will enable StoryTap to meet a growing demand for its video storytelling platform in North America and around the world at a time when about 20% of total global commerce activity has shifted online, and marketers are seeking ways to engage consumers. With e-tail now representing a $26.7 trillion market according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the company, which enables major consumer brands to source, produce. curate, and distribute on-brand customer-generated content like video reviews, video Q&A and video content experienced 450% growth in the number of brands using its platform in 2020. “COVID-19 accelerated the rapid shift of businesses around the world from physical to online, so brands needed to quickly figure out how to humanize their e-commerce experience and pivot from an in-store experience to virtual. As the economy begins to reopen, e-tail buying shows no signs of slowing. Our customers are seeking authentic ways to build trust by educating, engaging and serving shoppers, and we are able to deliver a scalable, automatic authentic video storytelling solution for them at a time when society couldn’t get together in real life,” said Bernadette Butler, CEO of StoryTap. “We’ve grown by powering one brand after another, demonstrating how genuine consumer-generated videos can drive engagement and sales, and imbue companies with a true seal of approval. The growth and adoption of StoryTap in the past year has given us a glimpse of the massive opportunity that is in front of us, and the investment and network from Refinery and StandUp will enable us to bring our solution to even more brands on a global stage.” The company, founded by Butler and CTO Sean Braacx, bootstrapped the development and growth of its patented, scalable and secure video storytelling platform over five years. StoryTap works with major consumer products, retail and education companies, and customers include Reckitt Benkiser’s Enfamil, Cepacol, Veet, K-Y and Durex brands, numerous departments at UCLA, as well as for TELUS, the major telecommunications company. StoryTap enables retailer CanadianTire to generate video product reviews for Dyson, Instapot, Greco and Dewalt. In addition, enterprise companies now depend on StoryTap’s secure enterprise video marketing platform, launched this Spring, to help them generate authentic, on-brand customer and employee-specific video stories. Brands also rely on StoryTap’s video content to drive traffic, search engine optimization and engagement. “We are beyond excited to support the vision of StoryTap. The team identified a big problem for brands and marketers, which is to control the story about their brand and the voices of their customers, in an authentic and meaningful way. Video conveys so much more information for consumers” said Tim Schigel, Managing Partner at Cincinnati-based Refinery Ventures and founder of ShareThis. “Our decision to back StoryTap was simple: our investment strategy is focused on woman-led businesses, because data shows they deliver better returns,” said Michelle McBane, Managing Director at Toronto-based StandUp Ventures. “We were impressed with Bernadette’s vision, leadership style and proven track record as a marketer, as well as the opportunity before this team and this technology to grow exponentially.” About StoryTap StoryTap Technologies Inc. is a woman-led company founded in 2016 with teams in Vancouver and Toronto. The company’s patented and secure video storytelling technology enables a global roster of brands to engage consumers and employees to grow by sourcing, producing, curating and distributing authentic, user-generated video storytelling content. StoryTap content also helps brands drive traffic, increase search engine optimization, build engagement and conversions. StoryTap is a Techstars and Lazaridis ScaleUp company. For more information about StoryTap, visit www.storytap.com or follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for StoryTap +1 917-816-5773 storytap@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://storytap.com/

May 20, 2021 12:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spruce Up Your Home this Spring (and Earn Money While You Do It)

YourUpdateTV

With Americans spending most of their time at home now, home décor and comfort have become incredibly important. In fact, online marketplace OfferUp recently found that 58% of Americans redecorated their homes last year with items to make their living spaces more comfortable and functional, TV Host, Lifestyle Expert and Interior Designer, Evette Rios, teamed with OfferUp and YourUpdateTV to discuss new design trends and the perks of using resale marketplaces. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Nj1YZ68I2P0 Because people are spending so much extra time at home, Americans have become increasingly focused on how to make their living spaces work best for them - and shopping for home goods and furniture on resale marketplaces like OfferUp is one of the easiest ways to do that. According to OfferUp’s Annual Recommerce Report, 35% of Americans purchased home products on resale apps last year, and the average American saved $400 by doing so. People are turning to resale marketplaces to find the perfect furnishings for incredible deals, as well as vintage and homemade items... OfferUp is also a great place to shop for hard-to-find items that may not be available elsewhere, like desks and chairs. If you can’t find something at a store or online, chances are someone in your community might be selling it on OfferUp. Selling your unused things in an online marketplace is a great way to declutter your home quickly this spring and earn extra income, either to make ends meet or to support a side hustle. With OfferUp, all you need is a phone, so it’s as easy as snapping a picture of what you want to sell and adding a price. When listing an item, post great photos and descriptions, price items fairly, and take advantage of what people are currently interested in. To start buying and selling today, download the OfferUp app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or visit www.offerup.com. About Evette Rios: Hailed as “The Latina Martha Stewart”, Evette Rios is a bilingual TV host, Interior Designer, Cook, Writer, and Native New Yorker of Puerto Rican heritage. Host of Emmy nominated Recipe Rehab on CBS and Rachael Ray’s designer and Design Buddy. Responsible for home design/renovation content on Rachael’s daytime show, website and magazine. Regular appearances on national morning shows including Today on NBC, Telemundo and Univision programs 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

May 20, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Announcing the 2021 Bulldog PR Award Winners

Bulldog Reporter

Bulldog Reporter is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Bulldog PR Awards, recognizing both the most outstanding PR and communications campaigns, and the most extraordinary individual and agency contributions to the industry. The Bulldog Awards are the only PR awards program judged exclusively by journalists. "I was very moved to judge this year’s entries due to the pandemic,” says Mary Ellen Walsh, award-winning journalist and Bulldog Awards judge. “Nearly every team had to readjust strategic planning to include a more compassionate look at the power of public relations on a deeper level. The campaigns were less about the bottom line and much more about effectively bolstering outreach, offering expertise and raising awareness.” In October 2020, the Bulldog Awards announced it would be combining its two programs, the PR Awards and Stars of PR Awards, into a single program. As a result, there are three Grand Prize winners, one in each group: campaign, agency, and individual or team. LEWIS received the Grand Prize – Best Campaign of 2020 for their campaign Lucid Motors Launch - A Tale of David AND Goliath Fahlgren Mortine received the Grand Prize – Best PR Agency of 2020 KD Hall of KD Hall Communications received the Grand Prize – PR Star of 2020 Grand Prize winners are selected from among the nominations that are entered in multiple categories and win gold at least once. Our illustrious panel of journalist judges had their work cut out for them to select winners from entrants in 50+ categories, including three new campaign categories added to recognize the events of 2020. The Best COVID-19 Response The Best Virtual Event The Best PR Podcast “As a journalist for over 20 years, I’ve probably gotten hundreds of thousands of press releases,” says Eric Hartley, an opinion editor, newspaper journalist and Bulldog Awards judge. “However, I rarely see the work that goes into them. Judging these awards gave me a glimpse behind the curtain into the ways organizations—and their PR firms—think about how to promote something.” The winning individuals, teams, agencies, and companies have all earned bragging rights as Bulldog Awards recipients, along with extensive promotion on the Bulldog Awards website and through Bulldog Reporter’s newsletters and website. The Grand Prize winners also receive a Bulldog Awards trophy to add to their award collection. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 Bulldog PR Awards! Learn more about Bulldog Awards at bulldogawards.com and sign up to hear about updates on deadlines or upcoming awards programs. Campaign Categories Grand Prize - Best PR Campaign of 2020 Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Arts & Entertainment Campaign Gold: Sound Royalties Takes the National Stage by French/West/Vaughan Best Beauty, Fashion, or Lifestyle Campaign Gold: nixit by Matte PR Inc. Silver: Wrangler x Rick and Morty Collection by French/West/Vaughan Best Brand Launch Gold: Rebranding a Beloved Brand for Today’s Table by The GIANT Company Silver: YouthBuild by Goodfuse Bronze: Forefront by Forefront Communications Group, Inc Best Business to Business Campaign Gold: MWWPR + T&M Associates by MWWPR Silver: Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and Padilla by Padilla Bronze: SingleStore: What’s in a Name? by Bospar Best Business to Consumer Campaign Gold: OnwardMobility Delivers the Next BlackBerry by Rainier Communications Silver: Zebra Partners by Zebra Partners Bronze: D’Artagnan by Peppercomm Best Campaign on a Shoestring Budget Gold: NAVC’s COVID-19 Response by North American Veterinary Community Silver: Cinnadust Seasoning Sweetens 2020 with News of Official Cinnamon Toast Crunch Seasoning Launch by Gillian Small Public Relations Bronze: PPE Protects the Public from COVID, TerraCycle Protects the Planet from PPE Waste by TerraCycle Best Community Engagement Campaign Gold: ‘Choose Topeka’ $15,000 Relocation Campaign by Violet PR Silver: Let’er Buck Challenge by French/West/Vaughan Bronze: Know Narcolepsy® UGC Campaign by Evoke KYNE Best Community Relations Campaign Gold: 10,000 Turkeys by The GIANT Company Best Consumer Product Launch Gold: Enfusia Helps Customers Mask Up and Breathe Easy by SPM Communications Silver: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Covid-19 Response Campaign Gold: Lifelong Learning by Lifelong Learning Silver: Stony Brook Medicine by Stony Brook University Bronze: Marathon Strategies: COVID-19 Covered by Marathon Strategies Bronze: Verizon’s Feed the Frontlines, Pay It Forward Live, Comeback Coach Hub and Women In Business by Rogers & Cowan PMK Best Crisis Management Gold: Ambulnz COVID-19 Response by 10 to 1 Public Relations Silver: Keeping the Dream of Homeownership Alive: Mr. Cooper Advocates on Behalf of Homeowners and the Housing Market by Highwire PR Best Diversity/Inclusion Campaign Gold: Agency Guacamole – B.L.N.D by Agency Guacamole Silver: Red Fan Communications by Red Fan Communications Bronze: UGA PR Capstone Students by UGA PR Capstone Students Best Financial Services Campaign Gold: Aflac by Aflac Silver: Born Digital: Ally Bank Welcomes 10,000+ Newborns into the Digital Era, Giving the Future a Financial Head-Start on Theirs by Tier One Partners Bronze: BackBay Communications: Local Funding Announcement by BackBay Communications Best Food & Beverages Campaign Gold: Dittoe Public Relations by Dittoe PR Silver: The Charli Dances Onto Dunkin’s Menu by Dunkin with RF|Binder, BBDO, and DDOne Best Global Campaign Gold: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Silver: trivago by Peppercomm Bronze: Oracle AI@Work: Mental Health by Oracle Best Government/Public Service Campaign Gold: United States Postal Service Field Communications by USPS Silver: CDC Rx Awareness Campaign by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ICF Next Bronze: Orlando United Assistance Center by Poston Communications Best Green Environmental/Sustainability Campaign Gold: NewsmanPR’s “Connect & Protect” Campaign for the Florida Keys by NewmanPR Silver: Jet Zero: The Future of Electric Flight by Mission Control Communications Bronze: Vote Yes on Prop 1 by Kiwit Best Healthcare Campaign Gold: MUCINEX’s Goes Beyond Words with Three-Phased COVID-19 Public Health Information Campaign by Legend Silver: Amendola Raises Appriss Health’s Profile Through OpenBeds Campaign by Amendola Communications Bronze: CHPA by Reingold Best Integration of Traditional and New Media Gold: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Silver: Trane® Residential x Havas Formula by Havas Formula Bronze: Scotch-Brite™ Brand Holiday Gift Guide by HUNTER PR Best Investor Relations Gold: Feeding Pets of the Homeless 2019 Annual Report by G8 Strategies LLC Silver: Pushpay by Pushpay Bronze: The Buddy Group by The Buddy Group Best Issue/Cause Advocacy Campaign Gold: Red Fan Communications by Red Fan Communications Silver: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Silver: Combatting Youth Vaping Head On by GOLIN Best Media Relations Campaign Gold: Cinnadust Seasoning Sweetens 2020 with News of Official Cinnamon Toast Crunch Seasoning Launch by Gillian Small Public Relations Silver: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Bronze: 2020 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership by The Harbinger Group Best Not-for-Profit/Association Campaign Gold: Dueling Dinosaurs Roars with Global Announcement by French/West/Vaughan Silver: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Bronze: Verizon’s Feed the Frontlines, Pay it Forward Live, Comeback Coach Hub and Women In Business by Rogers & Cowan PMK Best PR Podcast Gold: Disrupting the Podcasting Space with ASG’s Digital: Disrupted by V2 Communications Silver: Lay of the Brand Podcast by Merritt Group Bronze: PR 360 by Global Results Communications Best Public Affairs Campaign Gold: Marathon Strategies: Securing Justice for U.S. Victims of Terror by Marathon Strategies Silver: Yes on Proposition 22 | Clyde Group by Clyde Group Bronze: Counting Illinois by Kiwit Best Special Event or Publicity Stunt Gold: MUCINEX® Direct-to-Consumer Channel Launch w/ Fashion Show Livestreamed on YouTube by Legend Silver: Canadian Tire Christmas Trail by Canadian Tire Corporation Bronze: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Technology/Software Campaign Gold: OnwardMobility Delivers the Next BlackBerry by Rainier Communications Silver: Prodoscore: Making Work From Home Actually Work by Bospar Best Thought Leadership Campaign Gold: Cancer Treatment Centers of America – Shadow Curve by Goodfuse Silver: Invention in PR by Adam Ritchie Brand Direction Bronze: MWWPR + T&M Associates by MWWPR Best Travel & Tourism Campaign Gold: Hilton Extends Hospitality Through “Hilton at Home” Digital Content Series, Offering Insider Tips to Make Consumers’ Homes and Lives More Hospitable During Global Pandemic by Hilton Best Use of Influencers Gold: MUCINEX® Direct-to-Consumer Channel Launch w/ Fashion Show Livestreamed on YouTube by Legend Silver: SideChefxPanasonic: Cooking Made Easy by Dunn Pellier Media Bronze: V2 Executes Robust Influencer Program for Decibel During COVID-19 by V2 Communications Best Use of Personality/Celebrity Gold: #ForTheGrams: Amazon Helps Families Maintain Holiday Traditions in a Time of Social Distancing by HUNTER and Amazon Silver: Advantage Hers by Ruder Finn Bronze: Leanne Ford for Legend by Sharp Think Best Use of Research - Business/Consumer Gold: Back to Normal Barometer by ROKK Solutions Silver: Aflac by Aflac Bronze: Oracle AI@Work: Mental Health by Oracle Best Use of Social Media Gold: The Abbi Agency by The Abbi Agency Silver: American Dairy Association North East #MakeMilkMoments Social Media Campaign by Pollock Communications Best Use of Video/Multimedia Gold: Poseida Therapeutics by Poseida Therapeutics Best Viral Campaign Gold: Spin Master, The PAW Patrol Years by Spin Master Best Virtual Event Campaign Gold: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Silver: Reingold by Reingold Bronze: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Visual Storytelling Campaign Gold: CDC Rx Awareness Campa ign by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ICF Next Individual or Team Categories Grand Prize – PR Star of 2020 KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Leader of the Year (Agency) Gold: French/West/Vaughan team Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Bronze: Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn Media Relations Professional of the Year Gold: Beth Casteel, The Reis Group Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Bronze: Eric Hazard, Vested PR Professional Who Makes a Difference Gold: KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar PR Star Under 40 Gold: KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Silver: Brian Hart, Flackable Bronze: Keith Chapman, Chap Public Relations, LLC PR Up and Comer Gold: Myrissa Stalter, Fahlgren Mortine Gold: Sonali Hitesh Mehta, Apples and Oranges Public Relations Silver: Sammie Yeager, ROKK Solutions Bronze: Luz Verduzco, SPM Communications Public Relations Professional of the Year Gold: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Silver: Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn Bronze: Eric Hazard, Vested Agency Categories Grand Prize – Best PR Agency of 2020 Fahlgren Mortine Agency That Gets Results Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: Bospar Bronze: Lumina Communications Best Boutique Agency Gold: Capwell Communications Silver: Affect/Gregory FCA Bronze: Fish Consulting Best Industry-Focused Agency Gold: Jaymie Scotto & Associates Silver: Bospar Bronze: SideCar Public Relations Business to Business (B2B) Agency of the Year Gold: Bospar Silver: BLASTmedia Bronze: Lumina Communications Business to Consumer (B2C) Agency of the Year Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: French/West/Vaughan Large Agency of the Year Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: French/West/Vaughan Midsize Agency of the Year Gold: Goodfuse Silver: Bospar Bronze: Publicity For Good Most Innovative Agency Gold: Ruder Finn Silver: Bospar Bronze: JConnelly Small Agency of the Year Gold: Adam Ritchie Brand Direction Silver: 10 to 1 Public Relations Bronze: Violet PR About Bulldog Reporter Bulldog Reporter has been providing news, best practices, and insights to PR and communications professionals since 1980. Filled with insights on topics critical to PR pros and communicators, including media relations, crisis communications, influencer marketing, and many other topics you won't find anywhere else, the Bulldog Reporter email newsletter brings you compelling and relevant articles, plus timely updates about journalist moves and agency news so you can stay on top of your PR game. The Bulldog Awards, the only PR awards program judged exclusively by working journalists, are run by Bulldog Reporter and celebrate the best and brightest in corporate communications and public relations. Bulldog Reporter and the Bulldog Awards are a subsidiary of Agility PR Solutions, a provider of media outreach, monitoring, and measurement solutions for PR and communication professionals. About Agility PR Solutions Agility PR Solutions, a subsidiary of INNODATA INC. (NASDAQ: INOD), streamlines media monitoring, outreach, and media intelligence in one intuitive platform for public relations professionals. Since 2003, global organizations have relied on Agility to help them achieve ambitious business goals using an outcome-based approach. Software backed by deep expertise offers high-performance results and PR insights for brands with advanced requirements in a shifting media landscape. Providing innovative technology, outstanding data quality, and high-caliber support, Agility enables success for today’s communicators. Learn more at www.agilitypr.com. Contact Details Richard Carufel Editor and Awards Judge, Bulldog Reporter +1 860-218-3469 richard.carufel@bulldogreporter.com Company Website https://bulldogawards.com/

May 20, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cyvatar Wins Two Coveted Global InfoSec Awards at RSA 2021

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced two more prestigious industry award wins, this time as 2021 Global InfoSec award winners for the Cutting-Edge in Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) and the Most Innovative SecOps-as-a-Service, by Cyber Defense Magazine--the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine. This year marks Cyber Defense Magazine’s ninth year of honoring global InfoSec innovators. Its submission requirements are for any startup, early-stage, later stage, or public companies in the information security space who have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. “We’re thrilled to receive one of the most prestigious and coveted cybersecurity awards in the world from Cyber Defense Magazine,” said Cyvatar Co-Founder and Chief Executive Corey White. “We knew the competition would be tough, and with top judges who are leading infosec experts from around the globe, we couldn’t be more pleased.”. Award judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature, and other market variables. “We scoured the globe looking for cybersecurity innovators that could make a huge difference and potentially help turn the tide against the exponential growth in cybercrime, said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. “Cyvatar is absolutely worthy of these coveted awards and consideration for deployment in your environment.” CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. CDM is always asking “What’s Next?” so we are looking for Next Generation InfoSec Solutions. Whether you’re a small business starting from scratch or need to amplify your existing security investments, Cyvatar is here for you. Get started for free or reach out to Cyvatar at CYVATAR.AI. 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. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at CYVATAR.AI and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

May 19, 2021 12:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Airbnb Drives Job Support for Cities’ Post-Pandemic Recovery

YourUpdateTV

Cities are facing drastically reduced tax revenue and high unemployment among industries reliant on tourism. More than 61 million jobs were affected due to the pandemic, The World Tourism & Travel Council (WTTC) estimates. Recently, Christopher Nulty, Head of Global Public Affairs at Airbnb, participated in a satellite media tour to discuss how Airbnb is offering important economic benefits to small businesses and communities around the world. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/QS_84fewLlQ To better understand how Airbnb can help support local economies and cities as they plan for their post-pandemic recovery, Oxford Economics recently analyzed the economic impact of the Airbnb community in select destinations around the world. The analysis found that in 2019, in the 30 destinations studied, Airbnb supported over 300,000 jobs, including tens of thousands of jobs in industries like restaurants and retail that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Airbnb guests supported more than 100,000 restaurant industry jobs, nearly 95,000 retail jobs, nearly 50,000 transportation jobs, and more than 40,000 entertainment jobs. Travel is coming back, Airbnb’s 4 million Hosts are welcoming guests in cities across the world and Airbnb promotes the kind of travel, and tourism that is good for Hosts, guests, and local communities. As cities, states and countries plan for the months and years ahead, this data shows that Airbnb can be an important part of our economic revitalization. For more information, visit Airbnb.com/JobsReport About Christopher Nulty: Christopher Nulty is Airbnb's Head of Global Public Affairs. Prior to joining Airbnb in 2015, Christopher led public relations for Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. Christopher started his career in Washington, D.C., where he worked on Immigration and Healthcare Policy at the 2.2 million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU). A proud native of upstate New York, Christopher is a graduate of Colgate University where he currently serves as a director on the Alumni Council Board of Directors. 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

May 18, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Channel Factory Launches The Conscious Project to Address Inherent Bias in Advertising and to Create a Better Video Ecosystem

Channel Factory

In response to data showing how common elements of advertising may unintentionally perpetuate racial, gender and other forms of bias and hurt various content creator cultures, Channel Factory, the global brand suitability and ad performance platform for YouTube, today announced the launch of The Conscious Project. The Conscious Project is a global effort combining Channel Factory’s proprietary technology with education and awareness to support the advertising industry and to help transform it into a more equitable, diverse and inclusive ecosystem. The Project was developed to bring more positivity and inclusivity to the world and create a better advertising ecosystem. After a review and assessment of Channel Factory’s internal processes, and further inspired by client demand for a more inclusive and diverse approach to advertising on YouTube, Channel Factory kicked off work on The Conscious Project. The findings led Channel Factory to develop the Project’s s core elements: education, tools, and services that help brands develop new approaches to diversity and inclusion. A recent study conducted by CHEQ found that 93% of LGBTQ+ friendly channels are blocked by industry standard block lists. As part of Channel Factory’s Conscious Project, the company is helping brands re-evaluate block lists and employ proactive inclusion strategies designed to ensure brands and creators are aligned. Additionally, The Conscious Project aims to shine a light on positivity and human stories by investing in the creators & communities who are championing diverse, equitable, and inclusive subject matter on YouTube. Channel Factory will work with its partners to highlight and support these creators and communities through inclusive targeting strategies that will in turn, open up advertising and sponsorship opportunities that may previously have been unavailable to both brands and creators. “More than a year after the level of social unrest bubbled up to unprecedented proportions, the media and advertising industry have still not properly addressed what is an inherent structural bias that exists within advertising,” said Tony Chen, CEO and founder at Channel Factory. “While we are far from finding permanent solutions to these problems, we are proactively working with our clients to develop technological solutions and strategies to help address this imbalance. This has formed a key part of The Conscious Project - ultimately, we need to bring the industry together to create a more inclusive environment online and a positive space for advertisers, consumers and creators.” “In our research we have uncovered the shocking impact that keyword blocking and brand safety controls have on marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community,” said Jonathan Marciano, Director of Communications at CHEQ. “Publishers and creators within these communities are disproportionately penalized by industry practices. We found, for instance, that words such as ‘lesbian’ ‘bisexual’ and ‘drag queens’ are placed as standard on brands' keyword exclusion lists with 73% of safe content being denied advertising dollars. Platforms and brands who take inclusion and diversity seriously should review their processes to ensure that minority voices are not being squeezed out, which often alienates the very audiences they are seeking to target.” At a time when 60% of consumers say they feel more positive around brands who advertise in inclusive and diverse environments, offering technologies that enable more inclusive environments is crucial. The Conscious Project will contribute to a better ad ecosystem on YouTube by helping advertisers operate with more information on the creators they are helping to monetize. It will enable advertisers and creators to better realize their shared monetization goals, and will help users by promoting and sustaining diverse voices. “People are not only more aware of what’s going on around them in the world right now – they are also, quite rightly, more vocal about social issues, local communities, and environmental sustainability,” commented Nick Graham, Client Partner at Infectious Media. “This sentiment needs to be reflected across every part of today’s successful businesses, from the objectives set in the boardroom all the way through to targeting and media choices within campaign planning. Everyone is accountable in ensuring today’s brands are representative of the communities they’re working with to create a more diverse and inclusive advertising ecosystem.” This Conscious Project will enable brands to align their content and marketing strategies with the values of their audiences. As 73% of consumers would prefer to buy from brands committed to socially conscious causes, offering brands the ability to feature content alongside the right context is a step in the right direction. About Channel Factory Channel Factory is a global technology and data platform that maximizes both performance efficiency and contextual suitability, turning YouTube’s 5 billion videos and 500 hours per minute of new content into brand-suitable, efficient advertising opportunities. Channel Factory’s mission is to create a suitable video ecosystem that connects creators, brands, and consumers - by enabling advertisers access to the most relevant videos, channels, and creators. Through their proprietary platform that harnesses the power of the deepest YouTube dataset in the industry, Channel Factory has enabled advanced brand suitability, customized content targeting, and maximum performance for the world’s biggest brands. Channel Factory’s algorithm ensures not only that advertisers run against content that aligns with their brand but also delivers outcomes by optimizing campaigns using active and historical campaign performance data. Channel Factory has offices across the USA and is present in over 30 countries worldwide including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Contact Details Channel Factory Lauren Douglass Lauren@channelfactory.com

May 18, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TIMMY GARDE, CHIEF INNOVATION LEADER AND HEAD OF LIFE SCIENCES AT LEVLANE, NAMED ONE OF THE 2021 PM360 ELITE 100

LevLane

PM360, the premier information resource for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and medical device sectors, has named Timmy Garde, Chief Innovation Leader and Head of Life Sciences at LevLane, as one of the 2021 PM360 ELITE 100 in the Disruptor category. Now in its seventh year, the PM360 ELITE ( E xceptional • L eaders • I nnovators • T ransformers • E ntrepreneurs) represent the most influential people in the healthcare industry today. Garde was also named to the PM360 ELITE 100 in 2017. Garde, who started the Life Sciences group at LevLane, has a long history of accomplishments in the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences marketing arena. Timmy’s experience goes beyond just the marketing – he’s always focused on what is coming next. That mindset was key in major wins for the agency and his clients. “It’s truly a privilege and humbling to receive this award,” said Garde. “As I always say, I couldn’t do this without the incredible team we have at LevLane. This year was a difficult one for our entire country, but in spite of that, we were able to deliver some of the best results we’ve ever seen for our clients. Things move so fast in this world, staying one step ahead is not always easy, but we’ve made it a hallmark of our team and it’s paid off.” The PM360 ELITE Awards were established in 2015 to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the healthcare industry throughout their careers. More than 500 submissions were received and nominees were evaluated and selected by the PM360 editorial staff based on their accomplishments; testimonials from their bosses, clients, and colleagues; and supporting evidence that reflects the impact of their efforts. A total of 100 winners were selected across 19 categories, including Creative Directors, COVID Heroes, Data Miners, Digital Crusaders, Disrupters, Drug Researchers and Developers, Entrepreneurs, Launch Experts, Leaders of the Future, Marketing Teams, Master Educators, Mentors, Patient Advocates, PR Gurus, Sales MVPs, Strategists, Talent Acquisition Leaders, Tech-know Geeks, and Transformational Leaders. “As the pandemic surged across the globe in 2020, all eyes were on the healthcare and life sciences industries in search for answers, treatments, vaccines, and hope—and the very best in our industry were able to deliver all of that,” says Anna Stashower, CEO and Publisher of PM360. “While every year our ELITE winners demonstrate the power of the life sciences to impact lives, this year’s winners had to do so by overcoming unprecedented challenges in record times. Their incredible work helped to navigate HCPs, patients, and doctors through this pandemic and get us to where we are now as restrictions are slowly being lifted and we start to return to more of the things we love.” The winners were profiled in PM360 ’s May 2021 issue. You can read their profiles online at https://www.pm360online.com/the-2021-pm360-elite-100. Additionally, the 2021 ELITE 100 will be celebrated during a virtual event on June 22 nd at 7 PM EST. A special keynote address from Uber ELITE Winner Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna will kick-off the celebration. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.pm360online.com/elitetickets2021. # # # About PM360 PM360 is the premier, must-read magazine for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and medical device industries. Published monthly, PM360 is the only journal that focuses on delivering the full spectrum of practical information necessary for product managers and pharmaceutical marketing professionals to succeed in the complex and highly regulated healthcare environment. The journal’s targeted and insightful editorial focuses on issues that directly impact critical decision making, including planning and implementation of cutting-edge strategies, trends, the latest technological advances, branding/marketing, advertising/promotion, patient/professional education, sales, market research, PR, and leadership. Additionally, the “360” in the title signifies the span of this critical, how-to info with personal and career insights for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. By providing the full circle of enriching content, PM360 is truly an indispensable tool for busy and productive marketing professionals to stay at the top of their game. About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands that people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 18, 2021 07:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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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

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