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Minuteman Press Franchise Review: Jim Sweeney ‘Talks Shop’ on Growing Sales With Booming Apparel Business in Houston, Texas

Minuteman Press International Inc.

Jim and Jane Sweeney are the owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Houston, Texas for the last 29 years; they first joined Minuteman Press in June of 1994. Jim and Jane have done a tremendous job building their business over the years. Most recently, they have truly excelled in growing their apparel sales. Jim summarizes: “ The past 2 years have certainly been interesting. We are currently (as of July of 2023) running 30.5% ahead of 2022 sales, which was up 35% over 2021. It seems like the world (or our world anyway) came out of its 2-year long malaise in 2022.” In the below interview, Jim shares more specific details about his center’s booming apparel business and how he and Jane’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston have accomplished such strong growth in their apparel sales. Their center is located at 1040 Hercules Ave (Clear Lake City); Houston - Clear Lake City, TX 77058. How have you grown your business in general over the past two years? Jim Sweeney: “During the early pandemic we pivoted to personal protection products, which naturally led to custom face masks. While Jane was busy actually sewing 1000 face masks, I was providing custom logo cloth masks to hospitals, medical offices, service providers, and schools. We sold about 40,000 custom masks during that time, and we either heat pressed them or sent them to a local screen print vendor. We also donated a lot of masks to schools, non-profits, etc. Finally, in 2022, our traditional printing was finally starting to climb back to pre-pandemic levels. Promotional products also grew as trade shows and marketing calls became more the norm. We also had a big spurt of large format work, but that actually slowed down a bit after that initial spurt. EDDM printing has also become a larger portion of our print sales. Once we registered as EDDM providers on the USPS website, we definitely saw a very large increase in direct mail in general. Business Card printing has always been big for us, and the addition of the Graphic Whizard slitter, cutter, creaser has made it even more profitable. Our marketing efforts consists of: heavy community involvement; direct mail postcards, especially this year with the Deal of the Month art provided by MMP corporate; SEO/SEM on the Minuteman.com website, and social media, specifically as it relates to Direct to Film Transfer sales.” How have you grown your apparel business? What have you done to get your apparel sales going? Jim Sweeney: “We really started getting serious about apparel about 8 years ago when we purchased a commercial embroidery machine. Then, about 5 years ago, Jane put together a great lobby presentation. This area features apparel, large format, and promotional items of interest. We added dye sublimation capabilities with the Epson F570, and then we added DTG printing for one- offs (we eventually sold the DTG printer). During this time, we were using a lot of screen printed transfers, mostly from 613 originals or FM expressions. The issue became turnaround time. It would take up to 2 weeks to receive those transfers, and then of course we had to press them. We purchased a second, and then a third Stahls’ heat press during this time. That is when we decided to move in to the Direct to Film (DTF) printing business. After going through several desktop converted printers to try to print our own transfers, about 2.5 years ago we purchased our first large format, dual printhead DTF printer and finisher. In addition to producing transfers for our in-house use, we have enough capacity that we sell transfers to other printers, screen printers, sign shops and Facebook Group/Etsy owners. We added additional capacity with a 4 head DTF printer in January of this year (we will most likely be adding a third printer in the third quarter this year).” Jim continues: “Wholesale Transfer printing is now approximately 20% of our monthly sales; we ship all over the country, with a daily capacity for printing thousands of transfers. Adding embroidery and our in-house t-shirt sales makes apparel approximately 30% of our monthly revenue.” “Concurrently with this growth in transfer sales, the embroidery business was taking off. We regularly receive orders for 10-50 polos or button-down shirts for embroidery. We landed a grocery store chain and 2 local hospitals, and the orders became 150-200 shirts at a time. This past fall we completed a $24,000 jacket embroidery order, and we just delivered $32,000 jacket order to that same client, a hospital. Of course, we use a trusted local vendor for larger quantities of jackets.” Jim adds: “Our apparel business continues to grow weekly with more, and larger, in-house turn-key t-shirt sales really ramping up.” What are 3 tips for other owners on growing their apparel business? Jim Sweeney: “1. We feel that the #1 thing that is continuing to drive our apparel sales, in addition to the wholesale transfer sales, is our lobby display. Several years ago, we put this display of apparel samples, promotional items, and some of our large format samples in our shop. Whenever a new, or even an existing customer comes into the shop, invariably they are drawn to this display. About 1 in 5 people who walk into the shop asks about something that they see on that display. We turn about 85% of those inquiries into sales. 2. It also helps that our CSR is very knowledgeable about all aspects of apparel, as she is about all of our products and services. Our CSR/production manager, our daughter Allison, was the store manager at our Galveston location (which we sold in August of 2022), and has worked in every aspect of our business over the years. I realize that not everyone can be this lucky, however, that does not stop you from training and providing your staff with the tools that they need to do their jobs well. SanMar has great apparel catalogs with swatch samples, and you can put together a simple apparel website using their marketing tools. Of course, it also goes without saying that everyone on your staff should be wearing logo shirts, to further showcase your capabilities. 3. If you have the opportunity, attend a local apparel industry trade show, an ASI show, and most especially the MMP International World Expo. Educate yourself, request samples, purchase a good heat press, start small, with your own shirts, then visit your current clients to show them your new capabilities. Apparel is a perfect tie in to all of the other services that our shops provide to our clients. Apparel sales spur printing sales, just like printing sales should spur apparel sales.” At least once or twice a year, this hospital does a bulk purchase of 430 t-shirts for all the staff members. The purchase might include jackets, rain jackets, backpacks, other specialty items, or t-shirts. We’ve provided $200,000 or more in just apparel and high-end promo items to the hospital in the last 3 years. This hospital then referred us to the hospital Can you provide an example of a client who has used you for apparel? Jim Sweeney: “One of our regular ordering apparel clients is a local specialty hospital. In addition to their hospital facility, they also own or partner with 15 other physical therapy centers in the Houston region. We started out providing them with the usual printing and large format products, then contracted with them to provide new building signage for each of the outlying offices, and then grew into apparel with them. We have them set up on 2 Stahl’s Spirit Sale websites. One of them is for employees to purchase branded apparel, and the other is for the hospital to purchase apparel for new employees. In addition to standard corporate apparel, each department has their own branded t-shirt. Is there anything else you’d like to share? Jim Sweeney: “Apparel is an easy sell. Wear your logo. Talk it up. Ask for referrals. Don’t be afraid of it just because you haven’t done it before.” For more information on Jim and Jane Sweeney’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston/Clear Lake, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/tx/houston27/ 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

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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San Francisco Business Times Names Landis Communications Inc. (Landis) the Top 2022 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropist as a Percentage Of Profits

Landis Communications

The San Francisco Business Times named Landis Communications Inc. (Landis) the top Bay Area corporate philanthropist for 2022, based on a percentage of profits and biggest increase in percent of profits donated from 2021 to 2022. In addition, for the fourth year in a row, the newspaper ranked the San Francisco-based integrated marketing communications agency in the top 100 Bay Area corporations for overall corporate giving. Of those top Bay Area corporations (including Salesforce, PG&E, Gilead, Levi Strauss, Clorox), Landis, at 45.48%, had the highest percentage of annual profits donated to charitable organizations. The second biggest donor, Salesforce, clocked in at 5.38%. The agency previously made the Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists List in 2021, 2020 and 2019. “We are committed to running a values-aligned company,” commented Landis President/CEO Sean Dowdall. “To Landis, ‘values-aligned’ means we seek to produce work and represent clients that help make our communities a better place for all – now and in the future. For example, we believe in a healthy environment, technology that helps people, social justice and the enrichment of our society through quality healthcare, education and the arts. We are proud to support and represent organizations such as ODC, Joe Goode Performance Group, Live at the Orinda, Bay Area Cabaret, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Save the Redwoods League, and World Wildlife Fund, to name a few. We also support LGBTQ+ organizations such as Project Open Hand, the SF LGBT Center, PRC and numerous other social services organizations, particularly in San Francisco.” The San Francisco Business Times also has ranked Landis for many years as a top Bay Area LGBTQ+-owned agency, as well as a top family-owned agency. Landis remains one of the few independent public relations and marketing communications agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area and represents clients in various industry sectors, including environmental, technology, healthcare and hospitality organizations. ABOUT LANDIS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (Landis): Landis’ motto is: “We believe in ideas that create change. We craft compelling stories. And, we communicate.” Celebrating 33 years in business, Landis is an award-winning, full-service, integrated public relations, marketing communications, digital and social media agency. The agency offers a unique mix of expertise in corporate, consumer, technology, B2B, B2C, healthcare, environmental, arts/culture and nonprofit marketing communications. Ragan’s ACE Awards named Landis America’s #1 Small Agency and America’s #1 Healthcare PR Agency. Landis also is the San Francisco/Silicon Valley member agency of the Public Relations Global Network, with 60+ agency affiliates worldwide. For further information, visit Landis online. ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES’ CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY AWARDS: For 23 years the San Francisco Business Times has published the Corporate Philanthropists List. The list features 100 top corporate philanthropists in the Bay Area ranked by local cash giving. Each year the list is unveiled at the San Francisco Business Times’ Corporate Philanthropy Awards event. The Corporate Philanthropy Awards program was founded in partnership with Northern California Grantmakers. A portion of the proceeds goes to NCG to fund the Corporate Philanthropy Institute, with the mission to educate more companies about effective giving and best philanthropy practices. The aim is to honor those who give the most and in doing so to help raise the bar and inspire more giving. MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request further information, interviews or additional images, please contact Brianne Murphy Miller at brianne@landispr.com or (650) 575-7727. ### Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Brianne Murphy Miller +1 650-575-7727 brianne@landispr.com Company Website https://www.landispr.com/

August 22, 2023 06:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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NAVEX Enhances Communication with AI-Driven Translations

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, announces the launch of a new NAVEX One platform shared service: dynamic machine translations. This first-to-market addition in the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) space will empower organizations operating across different countries to overcome language barriers, enabling accurate risk and compliance-related communication between employees, third parties and program administrators. NAVEX understands the challenges organizations face in maintaining accurate communication when dealing with sensitive data arising from risk and compliance tasks. Many organizations struggle with language barriers, hindering effective collaboration. With varying language skills among responders, the potential for misunderstandings and misinterpretations can be detrimental to decision-making and compliance efforts – especially in time-sensitive cases. "NAVEX is pioneering the future of machine translations within the GRC space, directly tackling the complexities of multilingual communication," stated A.G. Lambert, chief product officer at NAVEX. "The integration of secure machine translation into NAVEX One makes it simple for GRC professionals to translate disclosures, assessments, and responses, leading to better communication and faster resolution." The introduction of dynamic machine translations addresses these issues and improves communication efficiency. With advanced artificial intelligence technology, this shared service allows end users to translate directly from the NAVEX One user interface. How machine translations work In the past, administrators encountered the repetitive task of manually copying text, relying on external translation tools, and then painstakingly inputting the translations to proceed with their workflow. However, with the introduction of the machine translations shared service built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), administrators are now equipped to address important matters promptly and efficiently, leading to quicker resolution rates. Moreover, administrators can assess third-party entities proficiently, regardless of the languages they speak or the answers they provide. The user-friendly NAVEX One interface makes translating disclosures, evaluations, and responses easy, promoting smooth communication and understanding. "By relying on the broadest and deepest set of cloud services on AWS, including Amazon Translate, NAVEX is able to use machine translations within the governance, risk and compliance space, directly tackling the complexities of multilingual communication,” stated Venky Nagapudi, Senior Product Management Leader, Amazon Translate, AWS. “The work between NAVEX and AWS makes it easy to translate disclosures, assessments, and responses, leading to better communication and faster resolution." Key benefits of NAVEX One machine translations include: Multilingual support: The system supports 75 languages, facilitating seamless communication with stakeholders worldwide. Accurate and reliable: Powered by advanced neural network technology, the feature ensures precise translation of critical information. Streamlined workflow: The translation functionality integrates seamlessly into existing GRC workflows, saving time and effort for administrators and responders. Cost-effective translations: Organizations can deliver faster results and decrease operational costs by reducing the need for external translation services. Data privacy: Advanced technical and physical measures, including encryption at rest and in transit, are used to prevent unauthorized access or sharing of content. Incorporating a dynamic machine translation service highlights NAVEX's continued commitment to fostering innovative solutions throughout the NAVEX One platform. By seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, NAVEX continues to empower companies to overcome language obstacles, promoting cross-cultural teamwork and elevating the effectiveness of GRC processes. As NAVEX continues to leverage AI and ML, it cements its position as a leader in cutting-edge technology within the GRC space. The NAVEX One GRC – Information System Multilingual Machine Translation marks a bold stride in NAVEX’s innovative journey following the recent launch of the NAVEX Compliance Assistant. NAVEX's unwavering commitment to AI/ML innovation propels the governance, risk, and compliance landscape into a new era. By harnessing the power of AI, NAVEX is reshaping the compliance landscape, streamlining intricate processes, and automating tasks. This first-to-market shared service accelerates and enhances compliance initiatives while fostering clarity across your organization. Navigate the future of compliance with your AI-powered ally, simplifying employee compliance in ways that redefine ease and efficiency. For more information, visit the NAVEX One Platform. And read our blog. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Scott Levesque +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

August 22, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

ClearOne sees 31% increase quarter-over-quarter as company releases 2Q numbers

ClearOne

ClearOne Inc CEO Derek Graham joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the company's recently-reported financial results for the three-month period ending June 30, 2023, along with operational updates. ClearOne is a globally recognized company specializing in designing, developing, and marketing solutions for conferencing, collaboration, and network streaming to enhance voice and visual communications. Graham conveyed to Proactive that the second quarter of 2023 saw revenue of $5.5 million, representing a notable increase compared to $4.2 million in the previous quarter (1Q 2023). This sequential growth of 31% was primarily driven by a surge in shipments resulting from the clearing of backlogged orders, which was attributed to improved manufacturing output. In addition, the company continued its efforts to optimize operational efficiency by streamlining costs and capital structure, leading to reduced operating expenses both sequentially and year-over-year. During the quarter, ClearOne successfully introduced innovative products to the market. One of the significant launches was the BMA 360D beamforming microphone array ceiling tile, acclaimed for its unparalleled audio performance and seamless compatibility with any Dante®-enabled digital signal processor mixer. The company also unveiled the DIALOG® UVHF wireless microphone system, catering to businesses and institutions seeking high-quality audio conferencing, video collaboration, and sound reinforcement solutions for various room sizes. Looking ahead to the third quarter, ClearOne has plans to commence shipping a Bluetooth group USB speakerphone and a Dante®-enabled beamforming microphone solution. These offerings are designed to facilitate seamless interoperability with most Digital Service Providers, further enhancing the company's reputation for innovative products in the conferencing and collaboration space. Graham's insights into ClearOne's financial performance, operational advancements, and product launches underscore the company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance communication and collaboration experiences. As ClearOne continues to innovate and meet the evolving demands of the market, its strategic approach positions it well for sustained growth and success. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 21, 2023 01:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Hart + Harvest Press Announces New Edition of James F. Haggerty’s Chief Crisis Officer, featuring an Insightful New Preface on the COVID and Ukraine Crises

PRCG | Haggerty LLC

“Not having a crisis plan is like sending your team onto the field, and only then making up the plays. You may win the game… but I wouldn’t bet on it.” Hart + Harvest Press is thrilled to release the latest edition of Chief Crisis Officer: Structure and Leadership for Effective Communications Response, by noted attorney, author and communications consultant James F. Haggerty. The new edition is now available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent booksellers, and at hartandharvest.com. The Hart + Harvest edition of Chief Crisis Officer features a new preface that provocatively looks at the communication impacts of two of the most dominant crisis events of the past several years: the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. On the COVID crisis, Haggerty writes that the government’s disastrous public response “serves as a prime example of why basic principles of crisis communications are so critical, including: having structure and leadership in place for response before a crisis occurs; ensuring an actionable plan that everyone understands and buys into; understanding the importance of rapid response protocols in an age of social media and other instant communications; and creating messages that are compelling and clear… messages that resonate with your audience.” On the subject of messaging, Haggerty contrasts the COVID failures with the success of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “As in the public speeches of Churchill, Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan,” Haggerty writes, “Zelensky chose his words and images incredibly carefully, rallying the Western world to a cause thought hopeless in the early days of the conflict.” Haggerty adds: “There was no committee noodling his words on Google Docs, adding various equivocations and lawyerly qualifications. No banal clichés. None of the muddied verbiage of the type that ensures that the bulk of your audience doesn't hear your message at all.” Structure and Leadership In Chief Crisis Officer, Haggerty emphasizes the necessity for all organizations, regardless of size, to (1) have the structure in place for effective communications response, and (2) appoint a leader who can execute in the heat of the modern crisis—the “Chief Crisis Officer.” “Crisis communications planning is not merely for the largest of companies facing the biggest of issues in the most major of media outlets,” Haggerty writes. “Effective crisis communications is for everyone involved with issues or events that could negatively impact their organization.” Throughout the book, readers will gain insights into crisis management, including the anatomy of a crisis, the selection of a Chief Crisis Officer, the creation of a crisis communications plan, rapid response strategies, crafting the right messages, and more. Since its original release, Chief Crisis Officer has become mandatory reading for CEOs, business executives, lawyers, public affairs and public relations executives, and high-profile individuals who seek guidance in crisis management. Prior editions of Chief Crisis Officer have been positively featured in publications that include the Harvard Business Review, Fortune and Entrepreneur magazines. About James F. Haggerty Called a “powerhouse of PR and communications” by Chambers & Partners’ international directory, James F. Haggerty is a well-known author, attorney and communications consultant. Haggerty is CEO of PRCG | Haggerty LLC, an internationally renowned public relations firm based in New York City, and its sports brand, PRCG | Sports. He is also president of the Crisis Protection Network (CPN), an association of senior communications executives in 16 cities worldwide. Haggerty is also the author of In the Court of Public Opinion: Winning Strategies for Litigation Communications, Third Edition (Hart + Harvest Press, 2022), which has been called “the perfect handbook for this age of show trials…” by Financial Times. The first business book to examine the interplay of media, public relations, and public perception during litigation, In the Court of Public Opinion was named one of the Top 10 PR Books of the Year by The Holmes Report. A 20 th anniversary edition will be published in 2023. About Hart + Harvest Press Hart + Harvest Press is an independent publishing company specializing in compelling nonfiction written by experts in business, communications, public policy, and related fields. Established and backed by PRCG, Hart + Harvest is driven by a genuine passion for storytelling—narratives that inspire, thoughts that provoke, and critical thinking that test conventional wisdom. Above all, Hart + Harvest firmly believes in the power of language to entertain, enlighten, and persuade. Contact Details Hart + Harvest Press Sandra Prendergast +1 212-683-8100 sprendergast@hartandharvest.com Company Website https://hartandharvest.com/

August 18, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Gamelancer Media beats its own forecasts with 2Q financial results

Gamelancer Media Corp

Gamelancer Media Corp CEO Jon Dwyer joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the company's financial achievements for the second quarter of 2023. The reported results surpassed management's expectations, showcasing an impressive 171% growth in revenue to C$1.42 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Dwyer emphasized to Proactive that the 2Q 2023 financial report not only highlights Gamelancer's exceptional revenue growth but also underscores the company's capacity to foster sustainable growth both in terms of revenue and network expansion. He emphasized that Gamelancer's unique value proposition, which combines owned and operated channels with its creative studio JoyBox, sets the stage for a distinctive media offering to brands. Dwyer also shared the company's ongoing efforts to optimize operational costs, a strategy that aligns with its goal of achieving positive underlying earnings (EBITDA) results by the fourth quarter of 2023. This commitment to financial efficiency and strategic growth positions Gamelancer for continued success in the competitive media landscape. Contact Details Proactive Investors Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 17, 2023 12:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Publisher Desk Named to the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies

The Publisher Desk

The Publisher Desk, a fully integrated audience development and content monetization partner, announced today that it has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the United States, marking its inaugural appearance on the main list. Earlier this year, the company earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 Regionals List of the Northeast Region’s Fastest-Growing Companies, with a rank of No. 117. Over the past two years, The Publisher Desk has more than doubled its revenue and increased its staffing by more than 64%. “I want to congratulate our entire team for this achievement,” said Jeff Misenti, co-founder of The Publisher Desk. “We are incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve, both for our own brands and on behalf of our publishing partners who trust us to help them grow their brands and further monetize their platforms.” In addition to serving digital publishers, The Publisher Desk maintains its own roster of publishing sites. In 2019, The Publisher Desk acquired Sportsnaut, the most powerful name in sports news and information. Last year, Sportsnaut released The Hustle, a free app that aggregates exclusive video of sports news, highlights and opinion from sports publishers who cover the NFL, NCAA football, NBA, NHL, Golf, NCAA basketball, MLB and more. “As an entrepreneur, you invest everything in the hopes that you’ll one day be able to realize your vision,” said Christopher Ward, co-founder of The Publisher Desk. “Less than a decade after Jeff and I founded this company, it’s gratifying to know that we’ve earned a spot on the Inc. 5000. We look forward to continuing to deliver for both our own brands and the many publishers who have chosen to partner with us.” Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage of revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must be generating revenue by March 31, 2019. Additionally, they must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent companies—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. Visit the Inc. 5000 full list of fastest-growing companies: Inc. 5000 2023: First Look at the Companies Building the Future About The Publisher Desk The Publisher Desk, based in New York with offices in London and South Florida, is a fully integrated audience development and content monetization partner to digital publishers, in addition to publishing several owned and operated sites. The company, founded in 2014, helps websites increase advertising revenues and reduce operational costs. Our team provides the proper resources, direction, operations, technology, and support for digital business, empowering sports, lifestyle & business media brands to connect with their audience and value-aligned advertisers. Contact Details For The Publisher Desk press@publisherdesk.com Company Website https://www.publisherdesk.com/

August 17, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Wishpond Reports Continued Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Growth in Q2-2023

Wishpond Technologies Ltd.

Wishpond Technologies Ltd. (TSXV: WISH, OTCQX: WPNDF) (the “ Company ” or “ Wishpond ”), a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions, announces it has filed its interim consolidated financial statements (the “ Interim Financial Statements'' ) and management’s discussion and analysis (the “ MD&A ”) for Q2-2023, representing the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Copies of the Interim Financial Statements and MD&A are available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Ali Tajskandar, Wishpond’s Founder and CEO commented, “ We are very pleased with our second quarter results in which Wishpond achieved positive Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter in a row, demonstrating our commitment to profitable growth. During the first six months of 2023 we generated $0.4 million of positive Adjusted EBITDA compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million in the first six months of last year; an outstanding improvement of over $1 million, which we are extremely proud of achieving. Wishpond’s cost optimization efforts over the past year have contributed to the Company’s positive Adjusted EBITDA profile. Based on the Company’s performance and growth momentum in the first half of the year, we expect to deliver strong results for the remainder of 2023. We maintain a positive outlook for the second half of 2023, with continued sales growth and improving cash flows.” Ali Tajskandar further adds, “During the second quarter we also completed the acquisition of Essential Studio Manager (ESM), which is the sixth acquisition in the Company’s history. ESM further expands the breadth of our product offering into invoicing, CRM and business management functionality. In addition, we are actively working on developing additional AI-powered marketing tools which we intend to launch in the coming quarters. Finally, our new Propel IQ platform is gaining traction in the market and early signs are showing higher margins and increased customer retention. We are now accelerating the hiring of new sales resources to drive additional growth in the second half of the year.” Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights: Wishpond achieved quarterly revenue of $5,639,417 during Q2-2023, compared to $5,007,343 generated in the same period of 2022 (Q2-2022), an increase of 13%. Revenue growth was primarily driven by organic growth resulting from stronger product demand, an increase in sales and marketing activities, and new product introductions. Wishpond achieved Gross Profit of $3,680,391 in Q2-2023 (Q2-2022: $3,360,715), representing a 10% increase from Q2-2022, driven by an increase in overall revenue. Wishpond achieved a Gross Margin percentage of 65% during Q2-2023 (Q2-2022: 67%). During Q2-2023, Wishpond achieved positive Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $215,926 (Q2-2022: negative $192,196), an increase of 212%. As at June 30, 2023, Wishpond had $1,098,285 in cash and no debt (December 31, 2022: cash of $2,692,644 and no debt). The reduction in cash balances was caused in part by earnout payments for businesses acquired in 2022, investment in the business and changes in working capital. Second Quarter 2023 Business Highlights: On May 3, 2023, the Company announced that it completed the acquisition of certain assets of Essential Studio Manager LLC (“ESM”). ESM is a provider of business management software, including invoicing and customer relationship management solutions for small businesses in the services industry. ESM is expected to be integrated with Wishpond’s Propel IQ platform this year. Wishpond customers using Propel IQ’s sales and marketing platform will then be able to provide contract signing, invoicing and access other CRM functionality from one single platform. On June 27, 2023, the Company announced that its Notice of Intention to make a Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) was accepted by the Exchange. Under the NCIB, the Company may, during the 12-month period commencing June 30, 2023 and ending June 29, 2024, purchase up to 2,688,431 Shares in total, being 5% of the total number of 53,768,620 Shares outstanding as at June 12, 2023. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company purchased 32,000 common shares under the NCIB, for aggregate consideration of $18,528. Events Subsequent to June 30, 2023: On July 27, 2023, the Company announced the launch of a new partnership program introducing a transformative approach to collaboration for affiliates, marketing agencies, and other technology companies to collaborate closely with Wishpond’s marketing platform. On August 16, 2023, the Company announced the upcoming launch of SalesCloser AI, an AI-powered sales rep that can deliver personalized, round-the-clock sales calls and product demos without the need for human intervention. The AI-powered platform is poised to transform industries across the board, particularly benefiting virtual sales professionals, SaaS companies, consultants, and various B2B enterprises that rely on online sales interactions. Outlook: Wishpond expects to achieve record revenue and cash flows in 2023, driven by organic growth from increasing sales of the Company’s new Propel IQ bundled product, in addition to ramping up the size of its sales team and launching new AI-powered products. The Company continues to have an active pipeline of sales opportunities and robust demand for its products. Management is pleased to re-iterate the Company’s key goals for 2023: Increase Monthly Recurring Revenue through both organic and inorganic means. Scale the size of the sales team to help achieve the Company’s organic growth profile. Remain Adjusted EBITDA positive by balancing growth with increased positive cash flow from operations. Invest in Research and Development so that the Company can continue to launch new AI powered products and services to increase long-term value for its clients. Leverage the Propel IQ platform to further accelerate the Company’s growth, improve margins, and increase customer retention and long-term customer value. Wishpond has demonstrated a disciplined capital allocation strategy, having successfully completed and integrated six acquisitions since the Company’s public listing in December of 2020. Given management’s successful acquisition track record, the Company may choose to accelerate its growth in the form of future acquisitions. Management may also choose to reinvest cash flows generated by the Company to accelerate organic growth or in the form of share repurchases. David Pais, Wishpond’s Chief Financial Officer commented, “ I am pleased to report that the Company has not felt any material negative impacts due to increasing interest rates, rising inflation or other macroeconomic effects. We have a clean balance sheet and an undrawn line of credit of $6 million, and our cost reduction strategies will allow us to fund the Company’s growth through cash from operations. We look forward to reporting higher revenue growth and profitability for the rest of the year. ” Webinar Conference Call Details: As previously announced, Wishpond will be hosting a webinar conference call to discuss its Q2-2023 financial results today at 10:00 AM (PT) / 1:00 PM (ET). To register for the webinar, please visit the following URL: https://bit.ly/Results_Q2_2023 Date: August 17, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET) Dial-in: +1 778 907 2071 (Vancouver local) +1 647 374 4685 (Toronto local) Meeting ID #: 835 0694 7063 Please connect 5 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be required. Selected Financial Highlights: The tables below set out selected financial information relating to Wishpond and should be read in conjunction with Wishpond’s Interim Financial Statements and MD&A. Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA Footnotes: EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA a re not financial measures recognized by International Financial Reporting Standards (“ IFRS ”), do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. See “ Cautionary Statements – Non-GAAP Financial Measures ". On Behalf of the Board of Wishpond “ Ali Tajskandar ” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer About Wishpond Technologies Ltd. Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Wishpond is a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions. Wishpond is a leading provider of digital marketing solutions that empower entrepreneurs to achieve success online. The Company’s Propel IQ platform offers an "all-in-one" marketing suite that provides companies with marketing, promotion, lead generation, ad management, referral marketing, sales conversion and outbound sales automation capabilities on one integrated platform. Wishpond replaces disparate marketing solutions with an easy-to-use product, for a fraction of the cost. Wishpond serves over 4,000 customers who are primarily small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a wide variety of industries. The Company has developed cutting-edge marketing technology solutions including an artificial intelligence (AI) powered website builder and continues to add new features and applications. The Company employs a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model where most of the Company's revenue is subscription-based recurring revenue which provides excellent revenue predictability and cash flow visibility. Wishpond is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker "WISH", and on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker "WPNDF". For further information, visit: www.wishpond.com. Cautionary Statements, Summary Information Information presented in this press release may be only a summary of all available information and does not purport to be a full representation of all figures, notes and discussions provided for in the Interim Financial Statements and MD&A. Readers are cautioned to read the entirety of the Interim Financial Statements and MD&A, and to not rely only on the information presented in this press release. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this press release on the one hand, and the Interim Financial Statements and MD&A on the other hand, the information in the Interim Financial Statements and MD&A shall govern. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In this press release, Wishpond has used the following terms (“ Non-GAAP Financial Measures ”) that are not defined by IFRS, but are used by management to evaluate the performance of Wishpond and its business: adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“ Adjusted EBITDA ”), monthly recurring revenue. These measures may also be used by investors, financial institutions and credit rating agencies to assess Wishpond’s performance and ability to service debt. Non-GAAP Financial Measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Securities regulations require that Non-GAAP Financial Measures are clearly defined, qualified and reconciled to their most comparable IFRS financial measures. Except as otherwise indicated, these Non-GAAP Financial Measures are calculated and disclosed on a consistent basis from period to period. Specific items may only be relevant in certain periods. See the disclosure under the heading “ Additional GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures ” in Wishpond’s MD&A for a discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and certain reconciliations to GAAP financial measures. The intent of Non-GAAP Financial Measures is to provide additional useful information to investors and analysts, and the measures do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. The measures should not, therefore, be considered in isolation or used as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other issuers may calculate Non-GAAP Financial Measures differently. Non-GAAP Financial Measures are identified and defined as follows: Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings, cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial results determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of the Company’s performance. The Company defines " Adjusted EBITDA " as Loss before income taxes less interest, depreciation and amortization, remeasurement of contingent consideration liability, filing fees, credit facility setup fees, earn-out remuneration, foreign currency losses (gains), acquisition related expenses, net other expenditures (income), reverse takeover listing expense, and stock-based compensation. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. Monthly recurring revenue: The Company uses monthly recurring revenue, or MRR, as a directional indicator of subscription revenue going forward assuming customers maintain their subscription plan the following month. MRR is the total of all monthly subscription plan fees paid by customers in effect on the last day of that period. If customers pay for more than one month upfront, the amount is divided by the number of months in the subscription period. Discounts are deducted prior to the calculation and one-time payments and metered based charges are excluded. Forward-Looking Statements Statements that are not reported financial results or other historical information are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, " forward-looking statements "). This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding the Company, its subsidiaries and the industries in which they operate, including statements about, among other things, all information contained under the heading “Outlook” herein, references to expected results from future operations, references to the growth of the Company’s product portfolio, including whether additional AI powered products or features may be developed in the future, and the functionality and timing of such products, financial results or operational activities that may be undertaken by the Company, the results of the Company’s cost-savings, research and development and other initiatives, any future acquisitions, share purchases or other activities done to grow the Company both organically or inorganically, expectations, beliefs, plans, future operations, origination of additional targets in which the Company may hold an interest and acquisition opportunities for the Company, the impact of broader economic factors including inflation and other general economic risks on the Company, business and acquisition strategies, opportunities, objectives, prospects, assumptions, including those related to trends and prospects, and future events and performance. Sentences and phrases containing or modified by words such as “expect”, "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "intend", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targets", "projects", "is designed to", "strategy", "should", "believe", "contemplate" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions, are not historical facts and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable and are based on, among other things, the expectations and analysis of current market trends and opportunities of management of the Company, such forward-looking statements has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, economic uncertainty and instability as a result of the ongoing inflation and supply chain issues, higher interest rate climate, tightening of credit availability and recessionary risks, pandemic related risks, wars, instability in global commodity and securities markets, shifts in consumer and institutional spending and marketing strategies, risks related to data breaches and privacy, the changing global market and competition for the products and services supplied by the Company, and the additional risk factors discussed in the continuous disclosure materials of the Company which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contact Details Investor Relations, Wishpond Technologies Ltd. Pardeep S. Sangha +1 604-572-6392 investor@wishpond.com

August 17, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Make Going Back to College Convenient

YourUpdateTV

As the end of summer approaches, college students nationwide are preparing to head back to campus, which can often be a stressful time. Recently, Allison Stadd, SVP of Brand, Culture, and Media at Shipt, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to share her top tips for saving and shopping this back-to-college season. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/4zjgeS_FMUc College students have enough to worry about while maintaining a good GPA, participating in extracurriculars and adapting to living away from home. Making time to shop for the essentials they need shouldn’t take away from focusing on what matters most. Allison shared three tips to help students’ budget for back-to-school: 1) Stay focused on saving during the summer months! Starting off the year with some fallback cash is important in case of emergencies and before you get that next paycheck from your student union job. 2) There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of savings opportunities! When your favorite stores and shopping solutions are offering discounts, like Shipt’s $4.99 per month student membership for same-day delivery, take advantage! Savings solutions really should be a course at college! 3) Split the costs of groceries and activities. If you’re sharing with roommates, make a budget tracker or phone notes doc to keep track of expenses to make sure it’s equitable. Shipt is the perfect shopping solution and resource that provides more than just one benefit. As an affordable resource, you can rest assured knowing that you aren’t breaking the bank to have access to reliable shoppers with Shipt that are there to help you get all your needs. Another benefit is that Shipt is a resource that gives you more time back in your day to spend on however you want! By relying on trusted shoppers with Shipt, you’ll have help gathering your essentials for you and recommending swaps if something is out of stock. This Back to College season, Shipt is partnering with actress and entrepreneur, Issa Rae, to curate a list of her must-have student essentials from Target, such as: Wooden Letter Board: Perfect for welcoming guests or jotting down notes in a creative way! Power Bank: So you don’t get caught on campus without a charged phone! Ballpoint Affirmation Pens: Level up your ballpoint pens with inspiring words of affirmation to get you through your work! Cheez-its: A timeless late night study snack! For information about Shipt’s new student membership, now available for just $4.99 per month, please visit shipt.com/student or download the Shipt app. About Allison Stadd Allison Stadd is the Senior Vice President of Brand, Culture, & Media at Shipt, where she brings her domain expertise in brand building, social media, and digital marketing to connect with consumers. Over the course of her career, she has held a variety of leadership roles, developing and executing creative strategies to forge real human connection. Allison received her undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 16, 2023 02:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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