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American Translators Association Calls for Fair Working Conditions for Translators and Subtitlers in the Entertainment Industry

American Translators Association

The American Translators Association (ATA), the largest professional organization for translators and interpreters in the U.S., has shared an open letter in response to recent statements in the press and on social media about a shortage of professional translators and subtitlers. The letter is a call for fair working conditions for translators in the entertainment industry. “There is no shortage, but instead a disconnect between the value of this skilled work and the pay offered, leading to a perceived lack of qualified professionals available for these jobs and subpar subtitles in the world’s most popular titles in film and TV,” ATA President Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo stated in the letter. President Sánchez Zampaulo also noted that current practices within the entertainment industry “devalue subtitlers’ work, discourage truly qualified professionals from accepting these jobs, and impede international viewers’ enjoyment of these titles.” “On behalf of the American Translators Association, I urge film and television production studios and the language service providers they contract with to refocus on a quality subtitling process, which starts with hiring professional subtitlers at professional rates rather than unskilled multilingual labor at pay that can work out to well below minimum wage,” President Sánchez Zampaulo stated. “The veritable explosion of international entertainment options is a positive development and producing high-quality subtitles is in the best interest of studios, streaming platforms, and viewers. The professionals who work painstakingly to craft the multilingual versions of our favorite movies and shows should be able to share in the revenue generated thanks to their work.” Founded in 1959, the American Translators Association’s primary goals include fostering and supporting the professional development of translators and interpreters and promoting the translation and interpreting professions. ATA, based in Alexandria, Virginia, has nearly 10,000 members in over 100 countries. For more information on ATA, please visit www.atanet.org. Contact Details WantLeverage Communications Julie Livingston +1 347-239-0249 julie@wantleverage.com Company Website https://www.atanet.org

November 22, 2021 08:19 AM Eastern Standard Time

Velocity Global’s 2022 Work In Progress Report: Businesses and talent benefit from distributed work

Velocity Global

1,000 surveyed tech leaders say distributed work increases productivity and diversity Most remote talent to remain untethered to an office post-pandemic Tech leaders desire to increase remote work for themselves 72% utilize a distributed workforce but face hurdles to expand it Remote and distributed workforces are here to stay due to the mutual benefits to both businesses and talent according to a new study from Velocity Global, the leading provider of global employment solutions. The 2022 Work In Progress — The State of Distributed Work: Tech Sector published today touts multiple benefits of distributed work, shows optimism for growth in the tech sector, but also names challenges for businesses to increase their global workforce. More than 1,000 U.S. and UK tech company decision-makers participated in the study and 72% say their business utilizes a substantial distributed workforce; 59% say more than half of their workforce is remote, and 61% of U.S. tech leaders report more than half of their remote workers will remain that way for the foreseeable future. “The world of work is forever changed. The global pandemic accelerated the desire to work from anywhere, and it lit a fire for employers to embrace a truly distributed workforce,” said Velocity Global founder and CEO Ben Wright. “The untethered nature of work was on the rise before COVID-19, but the tailwinds accelerated this new way of work as businesses tapped into new talent pools and workers themselves embraced a new freedom. Neither is going back - this change is here to stay.” Despite the growth of distributed and remote work, businesses cite several challenges to embrace the change even further. “This dramatic shift accelerated faster than the legacy ecosystem built to support the employment infrastructure was capable of handling,” added Wright. “We remove the roadblocks to grow businesses and connect employers and talent to simply get work done anywhere and anyhow.” Organizational and personal benefits of remote and distributed work Remote work refers to talent working at a location other than a company-owned office. Related to the concept of remote work is distributed work, in which companies employ talent that is located in multiple locations domestically or internationally. The majority of companies (72%) employ a distributed workforce and 79% of these organizations’ talent also works remotely. Respondents who utilize a distributed workforce report clear advantages: 95% say a distributed workforce model benefits their company by increasing productivity (54%), securing top talent (40%), and building a more diverse team (37%). Respondents indicate talent prefers remote work for similar reasons, reinforcing the mutual benefits. Interestingly, 3 in 4 of the tech leaders themselves work remotely at least one day per week and desire to increase the amount of time they work remotely. “Business leaders are people too, and they see the benefits in their personal life as well to their broader organization,” said Wright. “Flexibility and mobility are now must-haves for workers fresh out of school or in upper management, and lead to greater productivity and long-term talent retention. It’s a win-win.” Optimism for growth with an untethered workforce The increase in remote and distributed work drove unprecedented demand in the tech sector and organizations feel optimistic about expansion. The survey reports 96% are very or somewhat confident about their company’s financial growth over the next year, and 83% believe their industry will grow as well. That growth is realized by a remote and distributed workforce that mostly will not return to an office. More than half (54%) of respondents say 51-75% of their remote workforce will remain remote over the next year. Roadblocks create disconnect between employers and talent The data indicates a brewing dilemma regarding remote work. Talent and businesses both recognize significant benefits, but logistical challenges drive businesses to initiate a return to the office for some. The implications for this disconnect are great, considering the difficulties of finding skilled talent and employees’ desired flexibility. One factor contributing to that discord is the lack of involvement of talent in the decision to return to the office. Eighty-seven percent of organization leaders say their company decides whether remote talent transitions back to working at a company-owned office, as opposed to it being a joint decision. Only 12% report that both the company and talent make that determination. Tech leaders point to a pivotal moment for distributed work as both businesses and talent desire the benefits. The pandemic increased distributed work for most tech businesses, and 43% will maintain their current distributed workforce. However, the next stage is in question: 21% say they will expand their distributed workforce, 26% plan to reduce it. These decision-makers cite several forces that challenge their ability to grow their distributed workforce domestically and internationally, particularly among U.S. companies. Ninety-three percent of U.S. tech leaders say they do not have plans to expand their domestic distributed workforce. They point to recruiting, legal registrations in other states, and managing multiple vendors among other challenges. The growth of international distributed work faces similar roadblocks. Again, 93% of U.S. and UK tech leaders say they do not plan to expand their worldwide distributed workforce, adding foreign entity set-up, global payroll and immigration challenges to a similar list of difficulties. “The same friction comes up over and over again. Finding the right talent tops both lists and businesses want to tap larger talent pools across the country and the world,” said Wright. “Add in the bureaucracy of global regulation and the multiple vendors to navigate it on disparate platforms, and businesses get skittish. We built an end-to-end platform that removes all of this friction because the data is clear: employers and talent just want to work with anyone, anywhere, and anyhow.” Click here to download the full report: 2022 Work in Progress — The State of Distributed Work: Tech Sector. Methodology To gather the data in this report, Velocity Global surveyed 506 U.S. and 505 UK business leaders in the technology industry (e.g., software, hardware, and IT) who are employed at companies with 50–1,000 employees. The respondents work in a wide range of technology subsectors, including technology, media, and telecom; biotech; mortgage technology, property technology, and real estate technology; insurance technology; cryptocurrency; cybersecurity; and more. Respondents are in director-level and higher positions, including C-suite officers and business owners. Their job functions include human resources, finance, legal, IT/ technology, and operations. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

November 19, 2021 07:02 AM Mountain Standard Time

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Simple Tips to Save Time this Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

Thanksgiving is by far the most delicious holiday of the year, but if you’re hosting a house full of people — or even just preparing dinner for a few friends — it can be a lot of work. Recently, Chief Business Officer and Holiday Shopping Expert at Shipt, Rina Hurst, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Shipt’s ‘Thanksgiving Most Forgotten List’ and much more. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Al5gBSOboTc Thanksgiving is the official kick-off to the holiday season, which means days get shorter and the to-do lists get longer. Through their recent Thanksgiving Shopping Survey, Shipt uncovered that a majority of Americans - more than 80% - will be preparing or cooking their Thanksgiving meal this year, which means they need to get their lists in order ASAP. It turns out that more people than we think forget important holiday necessities, in fact over half of Americans (61%) surveyed admit to forgetting to buy a food or seasonal ingredient needed for their Thanksgiving meal. The three most commonly forgotten Thanksgiving food items include: 1. Cranberries (33%) 2. Fragrant spices (such as thyme, basil, etc) (30%) 3. Beverages (21%) Another recent trend is buying ready-made items for Thanksgiving and holiday meals. One quarter of Americans are purchasing elements of their meal ready-made from the store, with over half (52%) purchasing their Thanksgiving bread loaves or rolls rather than baking from scratch. One of the biggest resources this holiday season will be home delivery services, like Shipt. They have a dedicated force of Shipt Shoppers that provide a personalized shopping experience and bring the store to your door - with more than 130 retailers nationwide, which can offer same-day delivery of groceries, essentials, pet items, apparel, office supplies and more. To view the Thanksgiving Most Forgotten List, Shipt users can visit Shipt.com or the Shipt app, where the shoppable list will be available in the shelf category icons. About Rina Hurst: Rina Hurst is the Chief Business Officer at Shipt, leading the company’s Business Development, Partner Success and Digital Site Experience teams. In this role, Rina helps spark connections by delivering an easy-to-shop digital site, launching new and innovative partnerships, and building creative strategies alongside retailers and CPGs to continually meet their unique needs for success. Rina received her MBA from Georgetown University and her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech. 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

November 17, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Agora Data Introduces First-Ever Reducing Rate Line of Credit

Agora

Agora Data, inventor of the first crowdsourced securitization for the Buy Here Pay Here industry, launches another financing innovation with the first-ever reducing interest rate line of credit. This new product offers unlimited borrowing capacity, the lowest interest rates, and the highest advances. It provides Buy Here Pay Here dealers and small to mid-size finance companies the ability to exponentially grow and compete. Agora's game-changing approach to funding addresses an immediate need in the marketplace and allows entrepreneurs to access the same borrowing advantages as mega-sized dealers. The Buy Here Pay Here industry has traditionally struggled to obtain capital at affordable interest rates, and by removing restrictive barriers and utilizing data-driven metrics, dealers are gaining the freedom and resources to realize exponential growth. With AgoraCapital's reducing rate line of credit, dealers start benefiting from the interest savings and generous advances as soon as approved. Over time, interest rates decrease while other advantages increase, such as no personal guaranty or recourse, flexibility to draw cash as needed as well as no origination or unused line fees. AgoraCapital is designed to support revenue-generating functions and empowers dealers to better manage their portfolios, operate with confidence, and gain market share. "Agora is already making a positive difference for the BHPH industry by helping our members strengthen their financial footing and realize unprecedented growth, knowledge, ability to compete and ultimately build wealth," Steve Burke, CEO of Agora Data, said. "With AgoraCapital, we remove the obstacles dealers confront in traditional lines of credit and empower them with the same secret sauce enjoyed by larger national dealer groups. Agora's innovative, best-in-class financing options and robust data analytics is leveling the playing field for an underserved and underbanked industry." About Agora Data, Inc: Agora Data's platform delivers a suite of tools to empower Buy Here Pay Here dealers and finance companies to finance their subprime customers. Agora's family of auto finance products provides a wide range of critical funding paths so originators can obtain the cash they need to fuel growth, compete, and build wealth. Powered by patent pending technology, originators now have access to robust data analytics and planning resources to help optimize the performance of their portfolio. Agora Data made history by closing the first-ever Crowdsourced Subprime Auto Securitization in 2020 and followed that up with its second transaction in early 2021. For more information, visit agoradata.com or contact us at 877-592-4672. Contact Details Shelly Vandeven +1 682-282-4130 media@agoradata.com Company Website https://agoradata.com/

November 17, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

Comcast Increases Xfinity Internet Speeds in Houston

Comcast Houston

Comcast has increased speeds for its highest-residential speed tier for Xfinity Internet – Gigabit Pro – providing an extra boost for both current and new customers in Houston. Beginning this month, Gigabit Pro speeds will increase from 2 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) upload and download speeds to 3 Gbps symmetrical speeds nationwide. Xfinity is the country’s largest Gigabit network, delivering speeds faster than a Gig. Gigabit Pro uses enterprise-grade, fiber-based ethernet technology to make it possible for Xfinity Internet customers to receive symmetrical multi-gigabit speeds so you can stream or game in 4K in multiple rooms in your home. “Faster speeds will give Xfinity customers added capacity to power all their connected devices, in addition to the cybersecurity protection, in-home WiFi controls, and wall-to-wall WiFi coverage Xfinity already provides customers,” said Demian Voiles, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Comcast Houston Region. In addition to delivering the fastest speeds, Comcast provides unmatched value to Xfinity Internet customers through: Superior WiFi coverage – WiFi coverage with the xFi Advanced Gateway that is WiFi 6-capable and can deliver speeds faster than a gig, and xFi Pod s, which together creates a mesh network that reaches every corner of the home. Control connected devices – Using the Xfinity app, customers who lease an xFi Gateway have total control of their home network; manage device access, set parental controls, and pause WiFi. Advanced cybersecurity protection – xFi Advanced Security helps to protect all connected devices at the gateway level from malware and other cyber security threats. 4K streaming device with voice search – Xfinity Flex, a 4K streaming device with an award-winning voice remote to seamlessly watch and search for content from the Xfinity Stream app, Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, Prime, and other popular streaming services. Xfinity Mobile Xfinity Internet customers can get Xfinity Mobile, which combines the nation’s best 5G network with the power to auto-connect to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country. Starting at $45 for one line, the lowest entry price for 5G unlimited data in the market, unlimited pricing for Xfinity Mobile is $80 for two lines, $100 for three lines, and $120 for four lines ($30 per line). Peacock Premium and thousands of hours of free content – Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, delivering originals, libraries of hit TV shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” plus films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination and Hollywood’s biggest studios. Over the last decade, Comcast has invested nearly $30 billion to build an expansive, fiber-dense network that carries an immense amount of traffic and has demonstrated extraordinary performance throughout the pandemic. The company has doubled network capacity every 2.5 years to stay well ahead of demand. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Foti_Kallergis@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

November 17, 2021 08:00 AM Central Standard Time

Small-town Charm, Seasonal Twinkle in Belmont, N.C.

Belmont Tourism Development Authority

This holiday season, return to traditions and twinkling lights in Belmont, N.C. From small-town celebrations to family-friendly festivities that shimmer and shine, our region shares ample charm and memory-making through the New Year. “The holidays provide a perfect opportunity for Belmont to proudly display its commitment to community, history and tradition,” said Ted Hall, chairman of Belmont Tourism Development Authority. “Belmont’s small town charm glistens as brightly as the colorful bulbs. We cannot wait to welcome families to our city for another year of Christmas cheer.” Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden ushers in its annual Holidays at the Garden, Nov. 26 to Jan. 2. Experience magic and whimsy among festive blooms at this family-friendly event. The exhibition returns with traditions and topiary displays, sparkling cherry trees and rolling lights across the Piedmont Prairie. Festivities also include wintertime tunes, food truck fare, holiday beverages and seasonal shopping. Significant COVID-19 precautions are in place at the Garden throughout the holidays, such as staggered entry times to reduce crowding. Advance tickets are required and available at dsbg.org. Continue celebrating the holidays in nearby Christmas Town U.S.A. as McAdenville, N.C., transforms for a 66th year. Nostalgia and traditions ring loudly in Christmas Town, which presents more than 150 decorated homes alongside sparkling streetscapes from Dec. 1-26, 5:30-10 p.m. each night. In addition to memorable strolls and drives throughout town, the ChristmasTown 5k, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade return to the McAdenville merriment this year. In Belmont, the holidays unfold brightly beginning in November. Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 27 offers a chance to experience the city’s brick-lined sidewalks and quaint boutiques while finding those perfect presents. On Nov. 29, the City of Belmont Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season’s glow as well as the fourth annual Festival of Trees, a jolly display of Christmas trees across historic downtown that runs until Jan. 3. The 72nd Annual Belmont Christmas Parade – Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. – ushers in festive floats, marching bands, tradition, joy and Santa Claus! And on Dec. 4, in the heart of downtown, Belmont Christmas Village evokes the holiday spirit with s’mores stations, holiday music, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Also on Dec. 4, nearby Belmont Abbey College presents its annual “Christmas at the Abbey” with two show times featuring secular and sacred music, poignant readings and lighthearted comedy. “Everyone can use a bit of holiday cheer this year,” added Hall. “Belmont is ready to deck the halls with it.” More information about all of the city’s festive celebrations available at VisitBelmontNC.org. About Belmont, N.C. Belmont, N.C., is located in Gaston County, 15 minutes west of Uptown Charlotte. Whether you’re visiting us for the first time for a vacation getaway or returning for a daytime adventure, you’re sure to enjoy a truly unique experience in Belmont. Once a place where textile industries served as the lifeblood of the community, the city now stands as a successful example of commerce and redevelopment, while maintaining charm and hospitality. With picturesque nuances brushed throughout the town, Belmont offers a scenic view of historical homes, vintage streetlamps, red brick sidewalks and memories of a simpler time. It’s a community that embraces entertainment, the arts, unique local retail, destination restaurants and a variety of special events. For more information, visit us online at www.visitbelmontnc.org. Contact Details Melinda Skutnick +1 704-525-3937 mskutnick@lyerly.com

November 17, 2021 08:17 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Auto Lenders Selects LevLane as Agency of Record

LevLane

Auto Lenders, the leading pre-owned car dealer in NJ and one of the largest pre-owned dealership groups on the East Coast, announced recently it has named LevLane as its new Agency of Record and Agency Partner. Auto Lenders awarded LevLane its marketing business in anticipation of the car dealer’s aggressive expansion plans for both its car selling and car buying divisions. Since its establishment in 1990, Auto Lenders — an independent, family-owned company, currently based in Voorhees, NJ — has experienced substantial growth in the region. The company’s car selling division currently operates eight showrooms across Southern New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. ALgo, Auto Lender’s car buying division, currently operates in 20 states. LevLane will play a key role in both divisions’ ambitious plans to expand by leading marketing strategy and execution for both brands. LevLane will handle all creative strategy and execution, SEO, SEM, media, and content marketing during the client’s expansion. The full-service advertising agency will work collaboratively with the Auto Lenders team to build brand awareness while supporting the company’s mission and vision for the future of car buying and selling. “Auto Lenders is at an inflection point,” said Brad Wimmer, President of Auto Lenders. “We are ready to grow, but knew we needed to find the right marketing partner to make that a reality. When we started our search, we wanted to find an agency that got us and understood our goals and our culture. The process was competitive, but LevLane’s research, insights, expertise, and their inspired creative and branding work went unmatched. Finding LevLane was that final piece we needed to complete the puzzle.” “Auto Lenders is a brand we are very familiar with in the Philadelphia region. So, when they called us, we knew they were a client we wanted to work with" said Josh Lev, SVP of Brand Engagement. "When two companies come together whose culture and goals align as ours do, great work happens. We believe this will be a successful partnership and we are honored to be selected as the team that will help them during this exciting time.” 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. About Auto Lenders Auto Lenders is an independent, family-owned car company that has been streamlining the auto buying process since 1990. Auto Lenders uses direct relationships with regional banks to cherry-pick the best pre-owned vehicles and offer quick credit options for buyers with all types of budgets. About ALgo ALgo is the auto buying division of Auto Lenders. ALgo’s mission is to make selling a car fast and easy for everyone by being transparent throughout the process and offering top prices for sellers. Contact Details Lauren Stralo +1 215-825-9692 lstralo@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

November 16, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Customer Experience and Customer Engagement Market to Surpass $100 Billion in Annual Worldwide Revenue by 2026, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Customer experience (CX) and customer engagement (CE) initiatives continue to be a major priority for organizations around the world, especially in light of the significant changes and disruptions to customer relationships that emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new report from Dash Research, this level of focus is leading to brisk growth in the market for CX/CE technology platforms. “While CX improvements are largely driven by organizational change management, software is increasingly being used to support these initiatives by managing and making available the plethora of customer data that is captured and aggregated from a variety of sources,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. He adds that some of the key drivers of market growth include pandemic-related shutdowns and reopening, increased focus on omnichannel customer interaction capabilities, the rise of customer centricity, and the elimination of functional silos within organizations. Dash Research forecasts that global CX/CE revenue will increase from $63.6 billion in 2021 to $100.3 billion by 2026. The market size experienced a 13.5% decline between 2019 and 2020 due to economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but spending has recovered in 2021 and is projected to reach 2019 levels again by the end of 2022. The market intelligence firm forecasts that the top 5 industries in terms of CX/CE spending between 2021 and 2026 will be as follows: Telecommunications Healthcare Financial Services & Insurance Retail Government/Public Sector Dash Research’s report, “CX Market Forecasts”, includes a detailed market sizing and forecast model that focuses on the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) software and services opportunity related to CX and CE. The forecast is split into a variety of segments, based on the world region in which the solution is used, the offering itself, functional area, and industry. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market drivers and barriers, and insights into four industries that are driving the market spending are discussed in the report, along with recommendations for both end users and vendors. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

November 15, 2021 05:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Holiday Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/84NvZOIljwI Almost a quarter of Americans worry holiday shopping will leave them in debt, but that’s not stopping consumers from spending at a fast and furious pace. Beauty and Lifestyle Expert, Alle Fister, has compiled a holiday shopping guide filled with a few gift ideas that won’t break the bank and one way to pay for it all before ringing in the New Year. SHOP & PAY OFF DEBT EARLY: Early shopping is a big trend this year with the added challenge of inventory concerns. Fister says consumers are combating the issue by being smart and savvy with their online or in-store shopping behaviors. She points to a new survey from Afterpay, the leading ‘buy now, pay later’ platform, that finds one-in-three people are setting a strict budget and plan to wrap up shopping before Thanksgiving. The lifestyle expert urges consumers to be wise and stay out of debt. She says one way to manage holiday finances is by paying off purchases early. Afterpay has declared November 19th ‘Done Day’—the official day to wrap up holiday shopping in order to complete buy now, pay later installments before 2022. Fister recommends turning to Afterpay, which partners with thousands of brands to offer interest-free installment payments, because it allows shoppers the ability to buy gifts and pay over time, without the worry of revolving debt posed by credit. She touts that, “Shopping early has never been easier.” Consumers can expect deals to be announced weekly throughout the season to help them shop early. For more information, go to the Afterpay app or Afterpay.com www.Afterpay.com Facebook: @afterpayusa Instagram: @afterpayusa Twitter: @ afterpayusa FAMILY-SIZED GIFTING: Fister’s holiday gifting guide also includes presents the entire family can enjoy together. She admits, “As a mom, I love bringing everyone together for those warm and cozy moments. One gift idea that instantly comes to my mind is Koolaburra by UGG slippers. The brand’s approachable price points make for a perfect gift the whole family, or financially focused fashionista, can appreciate.” According to the beauty and lifestyle expert, these slippers are made of high-quality materials that don’t sacrifice on style, quality, or comfort. She adds, “Personally, I’m in love with the Riley Shimmer Kid’s Slipper. Keeping those little feet warm this season never looked better.” She even thinks they’re perfect for the men in your life, “The Tipton Emboss Men’s Slipper is perfect for the guys, whether they’re making breakfast or settling in for a quiet night.” As for Fister, “I can’t get enough of the Batya and Lezly Perf Women’s Slippers. They’re so stylish and comfy! And you know, I am a Southern CA based gal—and I just really connect with Koolaburra by UGG as UGG’s little sister brand that offers a southern California cool vibe for the whole family. Effortless, easy, and exactly what I’ll be asking my husband for this holiday season!” For more information, go to Koolaburra.com. Koolaburra by UGG® Official Site | Koolaburra.com Instagram: @Koolaburra Facebook: Koolaburra by UGG - Home | Facebook GIFT GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK: These days conscious consumers are paying attention to more than price tags. Fister highlights how important it is to think of ways to pamper loved ones while using one’s purchasing power to give back to the world we live in. “One great gift idea comes from the female-founded beauty brand, Josie Maran, she is the pioneer of Argan-oil-powered beauty. They’ve partnered with the CORAL Reef Alliance to create a limited edition Pro-Retinol Body Butter in a naturally derived Grapefruit scent.” Fister says those who know “It’s cool to care,” can rest assured knowing 10% of all sales of the Body Butter will be donated to CORAL, which is focused on saving the world’s coral reefs. The Pro-Retinol Body Butter will be available in a grapefruit scent, while containing safe and healthy pro-retinol derived from pink algae to give the same benefits of a retinol with zero irritation. For more information, go Ulta.com. https://www.ulta.com/p/whipped-argan-pro-retinol-body-butter-coral-reef-alliance-collaboration-pimprod2028603 Instagram: @JosieMaran & Coral_Org Facebook: @ JosieMaran & CoralReefAlliance Hashtags: #JosieMaranxCORAL & #ItsCooltoCare THE GIFT OF RELAXATION: Given the state of the world over the past year-and-a-half, Fister suggests giving the budget-friendly gift of relaxation as we head into 2022. She says, “There has been too much stress for too long of a time,” while pointing to a few of her favorite self-care items from the brand This Works. The lifestyle expert says with This Works, shoppers can give the gift of sleep and less stress this holiday season with their holiday gift sets that contain award-winning and 100% natural, aromatherapeutic blends that truly “work.” One example is the large gift set called DREAM TO SLEEP. It is made up of a trio of sleep saviors including a shower gel, body lotion, and celebrity-favorite DEEP SLEEP PILLOW SPRAY. Fister says she’s such a fan of this product, “You just spray your pillow or mist your PJs before you retire to bed and the 100% natural essential oil fragrances of lavender, chamomile, vetiver help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed.” There are mini sets available with pocket-sized pillow sprays and items from their Stress Check line that help manage stress. For more information, go to Nordstrom.com. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/thisworks-soothe-sleep-set/6474152?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2Fthisworks%C2%AE&color=000 Instagram: @ thisworks 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

November 12, 2021 05:45 PM Eastern Standard Time

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