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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

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

TRUST SCIENCE PLEDGE CALLS FOR PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

International Day of Light Steering Committee

After a year in which scientific breakthroughs are helping countries return to a sense of normality, a new pledge offers the general public a path to draw attention to the importance of scientific literacy. The Trust Science pledge, a worldwide campaign to promote support for the scientific process and acknowledge the many benefits of science for society is a first step to recognizing the vital role science plays in improving quality of life and combatting scientific misinformation. Scientific literacy, or the understanding of science, its methodology, observations and theories, starts with appreciating the wonder and advancements of science. One current example is the progress made with vaccines, but the past year has seen many other scientific developments, specifically in light science. These include advances in high-speed communications enabling families to stay connected through videoconferencing, faster access to online media content and breakthroughs in astronomy and planetary exploration such as NASA’s Perseverance Rover landing on Mars in February. With the rise of disinformation, declaring support for the scientific process provides a concrete way to stand up for science and the benefits it brings to society. The pledge, launched in celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Light on 16 May, aims to promote support for the scientific process and to acknowledge the many benefits of science for society. Nobel and Breakthrough laureates, scientific leaders, CEOs and everyday citizens worldwide have signed the pledge, taking a significant step in building scientific literacy and trust in the scientific method. “We all share responsibility for seeking out trustworthy scientific information,” said Dr. Jess Wade, a physicist working in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. “Before sharing information about a scientific claim, we can check the source of claims, research the credibility of the author and double-check the facts with fact-checking organizations.” The pledge complements other strategies for identifying fact from fiction. A first step in achieving scientific literacy is the careful questioning of any statement that is positioned as a scientific fact. Below are three ways the general public can check the validity of something they may have read, heard or seen online as a fact: 1. Embrace initial skepticism and check the source of the claims. 2. Watch out for rhetoric. A credible author will cite facts and sources and the results of scientific research rather than “science” itself. 3. Double-check the facts with fact-checking organizations. The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media inquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (IDL) is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Thorlabs, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela 2021 Steering Committee Chairs Email: contact@lightday.org Bethany Downer 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org Company Website https://www.trust-science.org

May 18, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Climate & Capital and Science4Data launch Climate Media Signal, the first AI- driven market media intelligence platform

Science4Data

Climate & Capital Media (Climate & Capital), a global media organization dedicated to driving climate action, and Science4Data, an advanced AI-driven analysis company, are partnering to introduce Climate Media Signal, the first public AI platform analyzing ESG and climate media trends using the world’s most advanced data tools. The partnership combines Climate & Capital’s pioneering climate journalism with Science4Data’s proprietary analysis of climate and ESG related trends, sentiment and risk. “We worked with Climate & Capital Media to create Climate Media Signal to help clients anticipate and get ahead of news trends and introduce intelligence on top emerging trends facing businesses,” says Tsveta Petrova, a Columbia University researcher who originally partnered with Science4Data as Eurasia Group’sData and Analytics practice leader. Now Petrova is helping Science4Data develop several key ESG initiatives. “We know that media sentiment is a key driver of business and policy. ESG, including climate, is one of today’s most important trends to monitor closely,” Petrova continues. Climate Media Signal uses intelligent crawlers to curate, tune and collect climate and ESG semantic information from tens of thousands of media sites. Articles are then analyzed by advanced Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Algorithms to derive insights and best-in-class visualization and integration analysis wherever needed. Through the partnership, readers will have the opportunity to interactively explore the contextual language of climate across targeted news and social media channels. ( Click here to learn more.) “With the distorting effects of social media and the fragmentation of global headlines, we think it is important to provide our readers an unbiased, data-driven view of how the media is covering ESG and climate-related trends,” says Climate & Capital founder Peter McKillop. “With the help of Science4data’s platform, we will be able to translate media metadata into actionable insights for investors to act on.” The idea was developed by Chris Dhanraj, managing principal of investments at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and former head of investment strategy at BlackRock iShares, and Peter McKillop, who was the global head of media analysis at BlackRock and global head of iShares communications. “Media is playing a disproportionate role in shaping global perceptions on climate change and ESG, and yet no one has been publishing metadata on how to interpret and act on emerging mega trends,” says Dhanraj. About Climate & Capital Media Climate & Capital Media is a global media organization that provides news, information and connections to bring together people and capital to solve climate change. Its news service develops engaging, well-reported profiles that deliver practical investment and leadership insights on the fast-growing community of businesses addressing global warming and building a sustainable climate economy. Learn more at climateandcapitalmedia.com. About Science4Data Science4Data provides advanced AI-driven analysis technology to monitor any online media, including news, social, and other public sources, alongside private document repositories. Developed by AI experts from leading academic institutions, the Science4Data engine provides the most complete automated insights on trends, topics, coverage, sentiment, risk, density, bias and customizable indices. Analyses are curated for relevance and provided effortlessly at scale. Customers include leading organizations in financial services, media, PR, and marketing services. For more information, please visit science4data.com. Contact Details Science4Data LLC Charles Gerth +1 732-754-5610 gerthc@science4data.com Climate & Capital Media Peter McKillop +12028416693 peter.mckillop@climateandcapitalmedia.com Company Website https://science4data.com/

May 18, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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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