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Not Going Back To ‘Normal’: Pandemic E-commerce Trend Will Continue Post-Vaccine Rollout

Suzy

PSFK, the most progressive thought-leader in retail, today announced findings from their “Future of Retail 2021 Report: A Playbook for Resilient Retail.” The report showcases how agile, consumer-centric business practices, data-driven decision making and a culture of ongoing experimentation were key components to business success in 2020 and are the building blocks for growth in the coming decade. On February 25th, at 11AM EST, the report will be brought to life during a free virtual event, Future of Retail 2021. The two hour event will feature a one-hour roundtable conversation with leaders from Bain & Co., Brooks Running, L'Oréal, Pandora, Maserati, Sonae, Vans/VFC and Wawa. This session will be followed by an hour-long deep-dive into the report findings, featuring a conversation between Scott Lachut, PSFK’s President of Research and Strategy, and Matt Britton, CEO of Suzy. The report, developed in partnership with Suzy, the leading real-time market research platform, includes survey results about the changing behaviors and expectations of the U.S. consumer, their current shopping habits, and provides a peek into what they expect from their future in-store shopping experience. Results from the Future of Retail Report show that consumers have adopted a “new normal” for shopping, and it’s focused on digital. Only 23% of respondents will shift their spending back to in-store after the pandemic. Furthermore, consumers who do shop in-store expect the retail experience to be fundamentally redesigned. Based on PSFK’s findings, it is clear that shopper loyalty is changing during the pandemic. In fact, 39% of U.S. consumers report they have recently engaged with a new retailer online and 24% visited a new retail location. Of those who shopped at a new retailer in 2020, 65% said that they will continue shopping at this new retailer indefinitely. Additionally, 62% of U.S. consumers expect to change at least one brand preference/loyalty in 2021. “The most successful retailers and brands will be those with resilience at their core. These companies invest in people, systems and infrastructure, ensuring they are connected together by digital information and processes,” said PSFK Founder Piers Fawkes. “Enhanced, real-time data capabilities are a must for any corporation going forward, so they can understand market behavior and track consumer needs the moment they shift.” Shoppers Want a New in-Store Shopping Experience Highlighting shifts in behavior, the Future of Retail 2021 Report found that shoppers want to be in control of aspects that retailers used to manage, such as checking inventory (53%). They also want in-store self-scanning capabilities and the ability to make transactions through their phones (33%). As for visiting stores in-person, respondents rated returns as a key need (46%), along with product repairs (26%) and e-commerce pick-up (24%). “Retail has gone through a major transformation this year and it’s clear that consumers aren’t going back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns,” said Suzy President Avi Savar. “Brands will need to consider these shifts as they plan campaign and product strategies moving forward. Real-time consumer insights will play a big role in helping organizations meet these changing needs.” About the PSFK Future of Retail 2021 Report: The qualitative trends-research report features findings from research performed in Q4, 2020. Quantitative insights provided by Suzy are from a study fielded in November 2020. The study surveyed 1,000 U.S. online-shoppers with a 50/50 gender split. The full report can be downloaded here: www.psfk.com/FoR21 About PSFK: Since 2004, retail futures firm, PSFK, has been leading the narrative around Retail and Consumer Experience Innovation. Leading brands and retailers across categories rely on PSFK’s syndicated trends research offering (PSFK iQ) and consulting arm (PSFK Labs), to fuel their innovation efforts and build relevant, on-trends business platforms to engage audiences. About Suzy Founded in 2017, Suzy is a real-time market research platform that puts the voice of the consumer at your fingertips. Whether you’re a novice or an expert researcher, Suzy delivers advanced tools combined with the highest-quality audience to deliver insights in minutes. Many of the biggest brands in the world use Suzy to deliver breakthrough products and experiences backed by data-driven decisions. To date, Suzy has raised over $46MM in venture capital funding from investors that include Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Foundry Group, Tribeca Venture Partners, Triangle Peak Partners, and Kevin Durant’s 35 Ventures. Learn more at www.suzy.com. Contact Details Jennifer Mirabile +1 408-340-8130 suzy@trustrelations.agency Company Website http://suzy.com/

February 17, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SUPER73® Raises $20 Million in Funding From Volition Capital

SUPER73

SUPER73®, an American electric vehicle brand, based out of Orange County, California, announced today the close of a $20-million investment from Volition Capital, a Boston-based growth equity firm. Founded in 2016 by LeGrand Crewse, Michael Cannavo, and Aaron P. Wong, SUPER73® produces two-wheeled electric vehicles with a mission to fuse motorcycle heritage and youth culture. It has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands in the world, with a loyal and passionate customer base, which includes many A-list celebrities and professional athletes. “We have always known that there was something special at SUPER73. It wasn’t just about creating a fun electric bike, it was about building a gateway to unlimited adventure and cultivating a true community. Volition Capital not only saw that same vision but believed in it. Together, we now have a real opportunity to take SUPER73 to the next level and help redefine the electric vehicle industry.” – Legrand Crewse, CEO of SUPER73. After an impressive launch on Kickstarter, SUPER73 saw fast-paced growth, not only because its handsome, minimalistic e-bikes looked like nothing else at the time, but also because the company bucked the norms of the traditional electric bicycle industry. SUPER73 refused to become one of the many stale e-bike companies that exist solely to produce mass-market vehicles, and instead became a content-driven lifestyle brand that inspires adventure and creates community. The company’s desire to be different is key to its success. In 2017, SUPER73 went viral after redesigning its first-generation e-bike to resemble a pair of Star Wars speeder bikes. These were ridden in costume through downtown Manhattan; the video has subsequently been viewed more than 10 million times on YouTube. SUPER73 continued to produce noteworthy hits including an appearance at New York Fashion Week, an international art exhibition with contemporary artist Tom Sachs, and a custom-built, 24-karat gold e-bike for Post Malone. As the company continued to produce remarkable viral content, its popularity snowballed, and soon SUPER73 attracted the attention of big-name celebrities, athletes, and performers including Jack Black, Will Smith, and Madonna. What’s more, the brand earned their support without paid promotion or endorsement. Many more celebrity riders followed, including: Anderson Silva Andrew Schultz Andy Milonakis Avril Lavigne Brett Conti Cam Newton Cara Delevigne Casey Neistat Chris Lake Colin Hanks Conan O'Brien David Dobrik Dennis Rodman Devin Funchess Diplo Ed Bassmaster Flosstradamus Grayson Dolan Greg Finley Hayes Grier iJustine Jack Black Jaime Foxx Jared Goff Jason Snell Jenna Dewan Tatum Jesse Wellens Joel McHale Justin Bieber Kade Kelly Ripa Kelly Slater Kevin Pouya Klay Thompson Lil Nas X Logan Paul Lukas Podolski Madonna Matt & Kim Matt James Meek Mill Mitchell Whitfield Neymar Nina Dobrev Paris Hilton Phil Wickham Philip Defranco Post Malone Rahul Kohli Reggie Watts Robbie Madison Robert Pattison Ryan Reynolds Ryan Seacrest Sam Sheffer Scott Eastwood Shaun White Slander Snoop Dogg Sofitukker Solomon Berg Suki Waterhouse Swae Lee Todd Gurley Tyler the Creator Will Smith Yes Theory Zach Braff Today, there are tens of thousands of SUPER73 riders and enthusiasts across more than 20 countries. The brand’s moto-inspired culture has created a new generation of “bikers,” who not only self-organize into regional “SuperSquad®” rider clubs but have also embraced the custom modification subculture. All over the world, fans of SUPER73 share their custom creations on social media and have helped to grow the “SuperSquad” community faster than ever. Today, SUPER73 has more than 430,000 followers across its content channels. The brand continues to push the boundaries of innovation by frequently producing high-profile collaborations with unique partners including legendary French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, and famed motorcycle designer Roland Sands. Mold-breaking projects like these have gained SUPER73 coverage in major publications such as Time Magazine, ESPN, Rolling Stone, GQ, Car & Driver, Men’s Journal, Motor Trend, Hypebeast and many more. It’s been less than five years since SUPER73 came to life, but the company employs more than 75 people on two continents; in 2020 SUPER73 opened its first European headquarters in Amsterdam. And with the demand for SUPER73 e-bikes in Europe already outpacing the remarkable demand for its products in the U.S., there is no doubt this young company will see even more success with the support of Volition Capital and its $20-million growth investment. “Super73 has all the ingredients to become a great consumer brand – fanatical customers, insatiable demand for its products, and a distinctive design philosophy,” said Larry Cheng, Managing Partner, Volition Capital. “It is one of the fastest growing companies we’ve ever invested in, and are poised to build a great new American brand as it leads the e-bike market for years to come.” EDITOR’S NOTE Please enjoy and share the video presented by Joel McHale, which captures the fun, adventurous spirit of SUPER73. The video can be viewed and shared here: vimeo.com/507214778/5c3c68ed68 The video and high-resolution images are available for download here: dropbox.com/sh/f5z54y1stwqkdnt/AADvmzbZ-JBTBGYg6q_Q5om-a?dl=0 ABOUT SUPER73® SUPER73® is an American lifestyle adventure brand based in Orange County, CA that develops products to help fuse motorcycle heritage with youth culture. Founded in 2016, SUPER73 has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands in the world with a passionate customer base including A-list celebrities, professional athletes, and many more. For more information, visit super73.com or on social media @super73. ABOUT VOLITION CAPITAL Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm that principally invests in high-growth, founder-owned companies across the software, Internet, and consumer sectors. Founded in 2010, Volition has more than $1.1 billion in assets under management and has invested in more than 30 companies in the United States and Canada. The firm selectively partners with founders to help them achieve their fullest aspirations for their businesses. For more information, visit volitioncapital.com or follow us on Twitter @volitioncapital. Contact Details Christiana Mullen, Marketing Coordinator +1 714-659-4883 christiana@super73.com Michael Cannavo, SUPER73 founder michael@super73.com Company Website https://super73.com

February 17, 2021 07:50 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Family-Owned Minuteman Press Franchise in East Indianapolis Shows Print Is Essential

Minuteman Press International Inc

Diana Renollet bought her Minuteman Press franchise located at 9105 E. 56th St., Suite E, in May 2020. Minuteman Press East Indianapolis is an essential business, so Diana and her team have spent their first nine months supporting local businesses and community groups with critical printing, marketing, and communication services during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says, “ Owning our own family business is a dream come true. I had done my research, and when the opportunity came I was ready.” After 33 years of working for others, Diana further explains, “With my own business, I feel like I am no longer wasting away years of my life on conference calls working for someone else. I am not answering to someone before making my own decisions. It makes me feel free being my own boss.” Supporting Local Businesses During COVID-19 Under Diana’s leadership, it is no surprise that Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis has been working hard on proactive community outreach and providing personalized local customer service. She says, “Being an essential business means we can support other local businesses and organizations who are also essential and operating as well as those who are reopening. We design and print custom orders for items they are using right now such as face masks, banners, menus, and more. It’s great that they know we are here for them as their trusted local business partner.” She continues, “For example, we are members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and fulfilled an order for 200 face masks. We have also donated to their Toy Drive as well as to the Lawrence Police Dept. Explorers program. We love what we do and it’s gratifying to be involved and give back to our local community who supports our essential business.” Even before becoming a business owner, community involvement was important to Diana. She says, “For the past five years, I have been the Vice President of the non-profit organization Indy Blue Star Mothers, which supports parents of children who are actively serving in the military or who are Veterans. I have also become a member of the Sertoma Club of East Indianapolis. Now that I own this business, I feel even more connected to my neighbors.” “At Minuteman Press, we print everything while providing outstanding local customer service. I love getting engaged in client projects and bringing them to life. Our mindset is to provide a positive experience from beginning to end.” -Diana Renollet, Minuteman Press franchise owner, East Indianapolis Print is Essential Diana’s passion for the printing industry and her business is readily apparent to her clients and anyone she speaks to. She says, “Everywhere I look I see print opportunities and I know I can help my clients promote their businesses. From billboards to street signs, whether indoors or outdoors, every letter or image you see is created digitally and printed. I cannot help but get excited when I talk about this industry and the many ways we are able to promote your business through print.” Diana enjoys being the face of her business and has fully embraced the Minuteman Press franchise system including their marketing programs. The fact that she is a printing and marketing services provider herself allows her to implement effective strategies. She says, “The key is to market, market, market. I have made countless phone calls simply letting our customers know that we are open and ready to help. I have sent out several hundred letters to customers making them aware of special discounts and promotions. We send back goodies of some sort with every order that is delivered to our customers. Sometimes we make goodie bags for our customers or send donuts from the shop next door.” Diana continues, “On every box that goes out of our center and back to a customer, we put a note that says, ‘Your business is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with you.’ This is really important to me. If we deliver four boxes back to a customer, when they open that second, third or fourth box, I want them to be reminded again and again that their business is appreciated and valued.” Minuteman Press also uses proprietary FLEX software that helps Diana keep track of her marketing efforts. “I am staying 4 to 6 weeks ahead on sending out reminder emails and USPS mailers reminding the customer it is time to work on their project. Every day, I look at the different marketing opportunities available in FLEX and act on them. I also look ahead to future opportunities. For example, I am in the process of sending out mail with offers for relevant businesses looking to promote themselves during the upcoming tax season.” What keeps customers coming back to Diana and her team at Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis is their complete positive customer experience. “Every time a client comes to our center, we want them to feel comfortable and appreciated. We offer them coffee or water bottles and a free donut coupon for the donut shop next door to us.” The little things add up to make a big difference, and Diana sees that clearly. “Many years ago, I was the inspiration behind a national campaign. It was called the Celebrate Every Day Campaign. I find something to celebrate about every single day. Sometimes it’s grand, and sometimes it’s small. It is a mindset and just a real nice way to live. It has helped me tremendously as I manage my business during this global pandemic.” From Employee to Minuteman Press Franchisee Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Diana worked in various business and management roles around the printing industry for 33 years. “I worked for several companies and wore many hats. I’ve done everything from graphic design and printing to on site management. Most recently, I worked as On Site Manager at the Kroger Central Division Office in Indianapolis where I tripled my team and made the Division cost-efficient. I did hundreds of thousands of printing per month, along with producing anything else that was requested.” Why Minuteman Press? Diana answers, “I liked the idea that Minuteman Press had already created a plan for success and I liked their plan. I also liked knowing that the FLEX software that Minuteman Press created and used would do everything from bringing me new potential customers daily to predicting reorders, quoting, creating work orders, invoices, and exporting accounting data directly into QuickBooks.” She continues, “Minuteman Press has done exactly what they said they would do as far as support. Someone is only a call, text or email away when I have had any questions. I have all of the freedoms of running my own business but I when I need support they are right there for me every time.” “Diana Renollet is a tremendous asset to her business community and to the Minuteman Press family. She truly cares about her clients and I am proud of her hard work in building her business in East Indianapolis. Diana follows the Minuteman Press franchise system and communicates effectively. I look forward to continuing to work with her and provide local support to her business.” -Steve Szymanski, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Midwest Meet the Family Behind the Business When Diana made the decision to follow her dream, she knew she could count on her family to support her. She says, “My husband Brian is my best friend and my rock. He supported my decision to become part of the Minuteman Press franchise family from the first day I mentioned it until the day we signed the papers. Although he has maintained his current career path, he is a huge part of helping me run this business. Our wedding song was ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen and I am so happy to take this new journey in my career with him.” She also credits her father as being instrumental in giving her the confidence to transition from her career to entrepreneurship. “My dad has been my go-to person and was really instrumental in making me realize this dream. Other than my husband, my dad was the only person who knew I was looking to take this leap. We talk every single day after work and he loves hearing what orders we received and how everything is going. He is so excited I am doing this and he is the one who taught me the value of hard work. My dad is truly a wonderful man.” It is clearly evident that family means everything to Diana. “My husband and I have 4 children from our previous marriages. Our oldest daughter is 30 and she has been in the medical field for the past 7 years. She has currently reenrolled in college to pursue a teaching degree and she is a wonderful mother to 3 of our grandchildren. Our twin daughters are 27, one is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. She is finishing her commitment soon and enrolled in college to pursue a degree in Nursing. Twin #2 works alongside her mother in a medical environment and she is a loving mother to our youngest grandchild. Our son is the youngest at 25. He is a Marine Veteran and Active Guardsman. He also works full-time and is also enrolled in college pursuing a cybersecurity degree. My parents also celebrated 62 years of marriage this past November.” She adds, “My husband and I look forward to weekend mornings where we try to get the kids and grandkids to come over for long breakfasts around the family kitchen table. We also enjoy spending time together laughing and enjoying life.” Advice for Others Diana has a fascinating perspective to share as someone who is realizing her dream of owning her own business at such a unique time. When asked for advice she would give to others who are looking to own a business, she says, “Prepare yourself for the opportunity and be ready. Don’t limit your thinking and allow yourself to dream, then do your research. Owning this center was my dream, and because I had done my homework, I was ready when the opportunity came.” She adds, “Stay accountable to your goals and your dream can come true. I am living proof of that.” For more information on Minuteman Press in East Indianapolis, visit https://indyeast.minutemanpress.com. 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

February 16, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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NVISNx Selected to Join Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs Access Network Among Elite Black and Latinx Business Leaders

NVISNx

NVISNx [n-vision-x], the leading PaaS information governance, risk and compliance (iGRC) company committed to helping businesses effectively identify and protect all critical data, announces today that it has been hand-selected as a curated member of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) 2021 inaugural cohort. EY’s EAN is a business accelerator and comprehensive executive program designed to help Black- and Latinx-owned companies transcend barriers and scale their businesses. By joining this elite network, NVISNx will gain access to key decision makers and companies that need to protect all critical data and maximize their current security controls to finally stop data breaches. Their membership also grants them access to the EY ecosystem of incubators, alliances, subject-matter resources, industry insights and capital connections. “We’re excited to be in the company of other Black and Latinx business leaders working to grow our companies during this difficult time and to benefit from the expertise EY’s network can provide,” said Glen Day, CEO of NVISNx. “As a prior EY Cybersecurity Partner, I know companies struggle to prevent data breaches that hurt their reputation and diminish their trust. The recent SolarWinds hack requires cyber leaders to shift their approach to “assume that you have already been hacked and they’re still in… now what”? To prevent the next breach, they need a more reliable and automated way to visibly identify and prioritize all critical data- from privacy, intellectual property, sensitive financials or board sensitive communications. Breaches are the digital pandemic to businesses and the problem is simply getting worst.” The NVISNx platform enables complete data inventories and also identifies data that no longer has business value and could be disposed of to reduce risk, decrease the attack surface and save millions in storage costs. As a result of covid’s economic impact, companies are also faced with major budget cuts and must make hard decisions on where to cut. Armed with the resources provided by the EY community, NVISNx will be better positioned to serve our customers risk reduction initiatives by providing data-driven insights as to what to protect and what data could be purged. “EY recognized that NVISNx and the other organizations asked to join the EAN are headed by entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and creating market opportunities with small to mid-sized organizations,” said Lee Henderson, EY America’s Private Leader. “This immersive program will expose Black- and Latinx-owned companies to the firm’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and resources, as well as investors. The program is modeled after EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year™ and Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ programs.” ABOUT NVISNx NVISNx is a powerful PaaS information governance, risk and compliance (iGRC) company committed to helping businesses effectively identify and protect all critical data. Our first-to-market iGRC platform provides an automated, visible and prioritization of data protection and junk file elimination, ensuring your crown jewels are secure while redundant, outdated, trivial, and abandoned files are purged. Our platform increases operational efficiencies and profit margins while helping Business, Cybersecurity and IT professionals better understand their massive data assets to make more informed decisions about their data. NVISNx’s visual analytics engine offers rich and meaningful intelligence insights to prioritize and protect all critical data and help defensibly purge files that have no business value, incur business risks and/or impair compliance, providing massive cost savings across the enterprise in just a few weeks. Our team of experts have built an intelligent, easy-to-use solution that enables business users to become their own data analyst. NVISNx is here to help you protect your prize data, while saving you millions in unnecessary storage costs. To learn more, please visit www.NVISNx.com Contact Details NRPR Group Nicole Rodrigues +1 424-421-9610 Nicole@nrprgroup.com Company Website https://www.NVISNx.com/

February 16, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Knowledgehook to boost maths attainment across Australia

Stockwood Strategy

Knowledgehook, the world’s most comprehensive mathematics learning platform, has launched in Australia as the nation’s teachers turn a corner in addressing low maths attainment levels for young people. It is now available to schools across the country for children in Year 3 to Year 10 classes, through The Learner First, a consultancy working with schools across Australia. The latest TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) found that Australia’s achievement in mathematics has improved since 2015. However, Year 4 mathematics achievement has not changed since 2007. One of the biggest challenges facing educators is to find better ways to meet the learning needs of the many students who fall behind in schools, failing to meet year-level expectations (often year after year) and, as a consequence, become increasingly disengaged. Knowledgehook’s proprietary technology harnesses the power of data to track where students are on their math journey. Their programmes connect a child’s at-home learning with in-school education, providing real-time insights to teachers on learning gaps. This empowers teachers to develop an understanding of the maths concepts related to their students’ challenges, enabling them to adjust instruction and monitor student progress. As Knowledgehook launches across Australia, former Australian Mathematics Curriculum leader, Margaret Bigelow, commented: " Australia's results in international testing are improving. The impact of a national approach to teaching and learning Mathematics has impacted on this improved outcome. Teachers need to be supported to maintain this trajectory of improvement by having the ideas and tools to enhance the engagement of their students to develop critical and creative thinking and further mathematical skills. This will enable students to adjust to the ever-changing demands and challenges of life in the future." “Knowledgehook was inspired by my own struggle with maths as a child,'' explained Co-Founder and CEO of Knowledgehook, Travis Ratnam. “Having the right, personalised guidance makes all the difference and every student deserves to have a teacher who has access to the best pedagogical tools, and parents who have insights into their learning. Our platform is not a game, it pulls together a 360 view on a child’s learning journey enabling people around them to improve the child’s math experience and outcomes. In launching Knowledgehook across Australia, Joanne McEachen, Founder and CEO of The Learner First commented: “I love the fact maths support is available 24/7 so when a learner struggles with a math’s concept, the teacher can access professional learning and development to help support both the learner and the teacher on the spot. Moreover, it helps teachers retrace their approach and identifies what may have been missed allowing them to recover and embed essential skills and concepts. Quite simply, it is what we have been missing for years and it will certainly complement the current trajectory of further improving math’s performance and disposition in Australian students.” Knowledgehook’s AI-enabled platform has grown to support schools across the US, Mexico, and the UK. It is designed to scale across multiple countries and languages developing teacher capacity while engaging students and providing actionable insights for parents. Over the years, Knowledgehook’s research-based solution has garnered industry-leading partnerships and investments from the most recognised global education bodies, notably from the University College of London (UCL), the global leader in education research. Knowledgehook actively collaborates with governments around the world while also working directly with schools and their suppliers, to offer curriculum-aligned solutions. The company currently empowers teachers in more than 100,000 schools. In 2021, it is anticipated the solution will reach 50,000,000 students globally. “We have received growing interest for our technology and expertise to be applied to other subjects and we look forward to expanding our solution to empower more educators and support the learning of students to become the problem-solvers of tomorrow,” Qamar Qureshi, President and Chief Business Officer added. Ends About Knowledgehook Knowledgehook, a leading educational technology company, empowers hundreds of thousands of teachers and parents to collaboratively support the mathematics learning journey of millions of students worldwide. Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, its platform analyses student understanding through engaging assessments, providing real-time personalised solutions to close learning gaps between classroom teaching and at-home learning. Designed by leading numeracy and research experts, Knowledgehook’s Instructional Guidance System is known for reinventing how online technology supports education and educators, while inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow. Contact Details Knowledgehook Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.knowledgehook.com/

February 15, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Senior Finance Executive Joins Science4Data Advisory Team

Science4Data

Science4Data, the emerging leader in AI-driven media intelligence, today announced Chris Dhanraj will be joining the company’s esteemed list of advisors. Dhanraj brings over 20 years of leadership and operating expertise in the Financial Services industry. Science4Data has signed up a first round of customers that are using the company’s advanced AI engine to distill intelligence and monitor publicly available online media. The company has turned its focus to target the PR, IR and communications industries with advanced media intelligence. In addition, the analysis engine will serve specific use cases in the financial services, media, and marketing industries through specialized partners. Recently garnering the interest of several institutional investors, Science4Data is poised for significant expansion in 2021. “We are pleased to welcome Chris as a strategic advisor to our team,” said Charles Gerth, CEO of Science4Data. “We see tremendous opportunity in offering our MediaSignal product to buy side investment professionals, either directly or through partnership.” Dhanraj currently serves as the managing principal of investments for CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and helps oversee the firm’s investment platform. Prior to CLA, he was BlackRock’s head of U.S. investment strategy for iShares, leading a team that analyzed markets and macro trends to provide actionable market insights across asset classes using exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Before BlackRock, Dhanraj worked at Citigroup as the head of investment strategy for Citi Private Bank North America and was a member of the global investment committee. In this role, he helped implement asset allocation across public and private markets for private clients and family offices. Dhanraj is a board member of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders. He also serves as an adjunct professor of finance at Fairfield University. 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 world 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 www.science4data.com. Contact Details Science4Data Lev Lesokhin +1 917-734-0479 analyst@science4data.com Company Website https://science4data.com/

February 11, 2021 09:06 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Jack Panzer and Minuteman Press International Help Independent Printers Sell Their Printing Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Minuteman Press International, the world’s leading design, marketing, and printing franchise, is continuing to expand its Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program. The program assists independent printers with selling their printing business at no cost and no broker fees to them. “We don’t charge anything to sellers. We take on the advertising costs and we provide 45 years of printing industry experience in evaluating their business as well as helping them prepare for the sale. What we get in return is simply another Minuteman Press or International Minute Press location that we’ll help the buyer build and grow,” says Jack Panzer, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming Region (Minuteman Press International operates as International Minute Press in Arizona). There is high demand for printing today, as Jack says, “Local businesses are vital to the American economy. Every business needs and uses the products and services that we offer. My job is to help evaluate and sell businesses where both the seller and the buyer are happy with their decision.” When is it a good time to sell a printing business? Jack answers, “The second you think about selling is the right time because there’s no guarantee as to how long it will take. I have sold printing businesses in 30 days, in six months, in one year, in two years. It really has to do with the buyer, the timing, and making sure the groundwork is laid to execute the sale.” How does it work and what does the owner need to sell? In his experience, Jack says the biggest thing is to keep it simple. “Let’s have a face to face meeting and get to know each other. We can talk and see if we are comfortable with each other, then make sure the business fits our model. We want this to be mutually beneficial. Let’s see what you’re looking for and what we’re looking for and find out if it matches up.” Jack adds, “There is no pressure and we are simply here to help. I will work with you to assess the business. If we can agree to work together, all I need is three years of financials. Through due diligence on our end, we are able to evaluate the business and suggest a fair market price.” He continues, “We are experts in the printing industry for 45 years. It’s not just about the P&Ls. It’s about the value of the business, the ties to the community, and the staff involvement. When we sell your printing business, we are able to train the buyer and offer more products and services. You don’t have to worry about long-term training or a prolonged transition because we train and support the buyer.” “When sellers sign up with us, there are no surprises, there are no fees, and it’s a very transparent process. They can also see the track record that Minuteman Press has as printing industry leaders for 45 years. We are not going anywhere.” – Jack Panzer What issues and concerns do independent printers run into when selling? According to Jack, “One of the biggest issues printers run into when selling is when they deal with a business broker who doesn’t follow through or have the printing industry experience needed to sell the business properly.” He adds, “Where we differ is that we have the printing experience and we want to sell the business in a timely manner. We are experts at selling print or print-like businesses and we know what it takes to evaluate and sell the business.” Another big difference is that Minuteman Press is able to attract a wider pool of buyers. Jack explains, “We build personal relationships with our owners, we support the buyer throughout the life of their business, and we have a vested interest in their success. We don’t just make the sale, shake their hands, and say good luck.” The sellers also raise concerns about their customers and what will happen to them. “They want to know their legacy is going to continue. We make sure there is a smooth transition so that the clients know they are in good hands with the new owner.” Another issue that comes up is financing the sale. “Minuteman Press has financing options available for buyers that may help facilitate the sale, which is another burden lifted from the seller.” Keeping it Simple Ultimately, Jack Panzer and the team at Minuteman Press International offer an effective and transparent way for independent printers to sell their printing business at no cost and no broker fees to them. Jack’s approach is to keep it simple, stay proactive, and keep in touch. “One thing I always promise is that I will communicate with you throughout this process and I’m confident I will sell your printing business.” For more information on the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions or call 1-800-645-3006. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 08, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with Ignyte Assurance Platform

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with Ignyte Assurance Platform, a leading provider of software and consulting expertise for cyber risk, cyber compliance, and cybersecurity standards mapping and assurance. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. Ignyte Assurance Platform delivers a software product to assist with data collection, analysis, and to help streamline processes across multiple security frameworks at once. The capability developed by Ignyte Assurance Platform supports an organization’s efforts around security, governance, risk management, and compliance and provides a tested and proven range of solutions to improve overall cybersecurity protection and resilience while meeting requirements of standards such as CMMC. The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Ignyte Assurance Platform and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “While CMMC seems like a brand-new framework for someone outside the industry, we’ve been working on automation of its predecessor legislative and industry requirements such as DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST 800-171 and FedRAMP since 2012, eliminating manual components and automating governance processes” said Mr. Max Aulakh, Founder and CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform. “We recommend implementing NIST 800-171 for now, because it’s the first logical step in CMMC adaptation. NIST domains cover 110 controls out of 130 required for Level 3 of CMMC. Joining IT-AAC / COE in this initiative, we are not just bringing educational resources to the table, but have the means to utilize our technology to speed up and simplify CMMC adoption for the DoD Supply Chain” Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and Ignyte Assurance Platform partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on Ignyte Assurance Platform, please visit https://ignyteplatform.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 08, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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2021 Will Be the Year of Meaningful Travel

YourUpdateTV

Airbnb released a new report and highlighted how 2021 will see a shift toward more meaningful travel as the pandemic continues to limit mass tourism and afflict the industry overall. When travel returns in 2021, it will be about connecting with loved ones through more personal trips, with mass tourism unlikely to return at any scale this year. Recently, Director of International Communications at Airbnb, Cassidy Blackwell, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss this trend and much more. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/f00q-568WXw In the report, US consumers say their near-term travel priority is to spend time with family and friends in comfortable, familiar and secure settings. Here are some additional findings from the report: Travel for pleasure is the out-of-home activity Americans have missed the most—over going to restaurants and bars, and attending sporting and other live events. A majority is ready to travel again: 54% have either already booked, are currently planning to travel, or expect to travel in 2021. This includes 57% of 18- to 29-year-olds, and 60% of 30- to 49-year-olds. The type of travel people have missed the most is visiting with family and friends. Business travel is the type of travel they have missed the least. Connecting with family and friends is also the type of travel that has grown most in importance as people look to travel after the pandemic: 41% say such travel has become “much more” important to them, almost twice the percentage who cite travel to accomplish personal goals (22%). Affordability is the top priority overall when it comes to choosing accommodation not just for the first trip but for future travel indefinitely (54%), beating health and safety protocols by 10 points. Nearly three in five Americans (58%) earning less than $50,000 per year say they are booked, planning or expecting to travel in 2021. Based on ongoing Airbnb guest survey data, a majority of guests—including 53% of all homes guests in 2019—tell us they choose Airbnb to save money while traveling. 56% of those under age 50 say they would be “much” or “somewhat more likely” to use an online platform which offers the ability to search for alternate energy and green accommodations. Only 28% of those aged 50+ say the same. For more information on these trends and much more, visit Airbnb.com About Cassidy Blackwell: Cassidy Blackwell is the Director of International Communications at Airbnb. In her role she is responsible for leading the teams across EMEA, APAC, LATAM and China to drive initiatives that help to advance business objectives, policy priorities and brand reputation. In her tenure as a marketing and communications professional, Cassidy has experience in working in both tech, CPG, retail and philanthropy, with specialized experience in empowering women, people of color and other underserved communities around the world. Cassidy has been named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Brand Innovator's 40 Under 40 and a finalist for the Sage Group's Marketers Who Matter. 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

February 05, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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