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COMCAST EQUIPS 10 COMMUNITY CENTERS AS WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” ACROSS SOUTHERN COLORADO

Comcast Colorado

As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast today announced the activation of 10 locations across Colorado Springs and Pueblo as WiFi-connected “Lift Zones.” Working with its network of nonprofit partners in the Southern Colorado region, Comcast is providing robust WiFi coverage in safe spaces to help low-income students and individuals get online, access critical resources, participate in digital literacy and workforce development trainings, and support their education during the school year and into the summer months for continuous learning. "We are grateful to Comcast for providing these Lift Zones at service providers across our city,” said Mayor John Suthers, City of Colorado Springs. “Internet connectivity has been a vital part of the continued functioning of our economy and our schools, and it’s important that we remove any obstacles that could keep people from working or learning during these unprecedented times.” "The pandemic underscored how critical a reliable internet connection is for Pueblo students and individuals,” said Mayor Nick Gradisar, City of Pueblo. "The Comcast Lift Zones being installed at community centers across the city are a welcome addition to our community, providing much-needed connectivity.” Southern Colorado organizations working with Comcast to establish Lift Zones in their respective facilities include: Colorado Springs • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pikes Peak Region • E.A. Tutt Club • El Pomar Club • YMCA • Southeast Family • Garden Ranch Family • Salvation Army • Red Shield • Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pueblo • Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County • Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) • Sprague Clubhouse • Pueblo YMCA • Southern Colorado Youth Development “Comcast has long been a steadfast partner to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center as we team to support our military community,” said Robert “Bob” McLaughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. “COVID-19 forced us to expand our virtual service delivery model and Comcast has once again come along side of us to offer a helping hand to enhance the connectivity of our clients. A sincere thank you to these tremendous teammates.” "The Comcast Lift Zone allowed our members to fully participate in their virtual classroom experience, which was not the case prior the Lift Zone installation due to the lack of internet speed with so many members utilizing the WiFi at the club at the same time,” said Cheryl Martinez, Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County Teen Director. These Lift Zones will feature free WiFi provided by Comcast, which allows students and adults to work on laptops simultaneously so they can successfully participate in the digital economy. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years. “Access to the Internet is a critical component of digital equity, especially as we head into the summer months,” said Amy Lynch, Sr. Vice President Comcast Mountain West Region. “Reliable connectivity offered in a safe, clean space for students is a year-round necessity to combat summer learning loss. Consistent connectivity and locations for adults to get online, search for jobs, access healthcare information and adult education is key for all individuals in our communities to succeeded in an increasingly digital world.” Lift Zones sites are also being installed in communities throughout the state and Comcast is currently accepting nominations for potential Lift Zone sites. Visit Colorado.Comcast.com/Lift-Zones to nominate an organization and see the full list of current locations. In addition, the company is providing free access to hundreds of hours of digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning. Lift Zone sites complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has connected more than more than 82,000 low-income Southern Coloradans and more than 480,000 Coloradans across the state to the internet at home. Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

May 18, 2021 08:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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A Digital Leader in Multi-location, Goodway Group is Selected by Kubota Tractor Corporation as its Digital Agency of Record

Goodway Group

Goodway Group, the digital partner advertisers trust to deliver campaign performance and media efficiency, has been named the digital agency of record (DAOR) for Kubota Tractor Corporation, the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment, including a complete line of tractors, construction and gardening equipment. Building on a four-year foundation of success, Goodway Group will work to continue blending customer service with digital media strategy and execution in order to deliver a full-service experience to Kubota corporate as well as individual dealer locations who choose to partner with them in their local markets. As the brand’s DAOR, Goodway Group will be responsible for digital strategy including: PPC (Search), Display, Social, Geo- fencing, Digital video, Digital audio, Advanced TV, digital extensions of traditional media and other digital media services. Additionally, Goodway Group will serve as Kubota’s digital strategy hub working with their other partners to provide holistic media strategy across all Tiers. Goodway Group is a digital leader in multi-location that empowers franchises to grow their businesses. With a large independent dealer network consisting of 1,100 U.S. locations, Kubota Tractor Corporation found a strategic partner in Goodway Group that could utilize data to drive media performance. Goodway Group’s unique approach to this challenge centered around leveraging first-party data to fuel beyond digital into all facets of marketing strategy. Additionally, Goodway Group’s award-winning dashboards have helped provide the Kubota team with a holistic view of both local and national campaign performance. “The Goodway Group team has been an invaluable partner to us. We rely on them to provide insightful, data-driven, strategic guidance as we work to continually improve our digital marketing efforts.” said John Lee, Director, Marketing at Kubota Tractor Corporation. “The customized tech and innovative dashboard capabilities the Goodway team tailors for Kubota help us reach our target audiences, and track performance to drive greater digital advertising effectiveness. This announcement formally recognizes Goodway Group as our DAOR, which is a role they have been informally executing for Kubota Tractor Corporation over the past few years.” Most recently, Goodway Group worked with Kubota Tractor Corporation on scaling their hyperlocal SEM strategy. As the top selling sub-compact and compact tractor brand in the U.S. Kubota relied heavily on Goodway Group to help meet the individual needs and goals of their dealers. Including a specific dealership in rural Mississippi who was looking to drive even higher ROI from its always-on Paid Search campaign at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Goodway Group was able to create a customized campaign through hyperlocal targeting for the Mississippi-based dealer that resulted in 50+ ad groups with responsive search ads (RSLA) and hundreds of relevant broad and exact match keywords, uniquely tailored to the local business. The campaign surpassed all year-over-year benchmarks increasing conversion volume by 157%, improving CPA (cost per acquisition) by 63% and increasing CTR (click through rate) by 159%. All of which helped the local dealer persevere through the first half of 2020 in a truly unprecedented year. Additionally, the campaign was named a finalist in the US Search Awards Best Local Search Campaign category and awarded Silver in the same Global category. “Working with Kubota over the past few years has been an incredible opportunity, and our team couldn’t be more excited for the chance to serve as their digital strategy and execution hub moving forward,” said Noah Everist, National Account Director, Goodway Group. “The Kubota brand showcases exactly what we thrive on here at Goodway: the opportunity to highlight market leading businesses at both the corporate and local levels. We’ve already accomplished so much in the past four years and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead in the future.” As an industry leading force, Kubota has relied on Goodway Group for the past four years to deliver consistent business results through client service, tech, education, with local marketing at national scale. As a digital strategy company with robust experience, Goodway Group is uniquely positioned to influence media mix, data management consulting and strong analytics. About Goodway Group: Goodway Group is the digital partner advertisers trust to drive campaign performance and media efficiency. Proud to be completely independently owned and operated, Goodway provides trustworthy expertise that meets its clients' needs – and no one else's. Using predictive intelligence, Goodway helps advertisers get the most value out of every impression across all paid digital media. Through the combination of employing the smartest technology and the most experienced people in the industry, Goodway delivers authentic results. Find Goodway Group online at goodwaygroup.com. Goodway Group. Honestly Smart Digital. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Goodway Group Rachel Wyncoop +1 631-338-7248 rwyncoop@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.goodwaygroup.com/

May 18, 2021 10:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Public Relations Global Network Adds Agencies in Alabama and Brazil

Public Relations Global Network

The Public Relations Global Network ( PRGN ) announced today it has added two new agencies to its global network, raising the number of its offices serving PR clients throughout the world to 54. PRGN is adding two agencies with a total of four new offices to its network in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Goiás, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil. PRGN will be represented in Birmingham, Alabama, by Peritus PR, a specialized communications firm dedicated to connecting communities. Peritus is a woman-owned business consistently ranked as a top regional PR firm for strategy-focused campaigns that require a blend of advocacy, reputation management and community relations to navigate challenges, drive results and create impact. Peritus supports issue-based campaigns, statewide policy initiatives, influential nonprofits, ballot initiatives and some of Alabama’s largest employers. Founded in 2014 by Louise Oliver, APR, the firm has supported some of the region’s most influential companies including Alabama Power, Bank of America, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Protective Life, Alabama Tourism and Peco Foods. With remarkably high retention rates since its founding, each member of the Peritus team is dedicated to its continued growth and play a unique role in the firm’s leadership and culture building. In addition, PRGN is now represented in Goiás, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil by Race Communications, a full-service public relations firm that was recognized as the third fastest growing communications agency in the Americas (without the U.S.) by The Holmes Report (now PRovoke) in 2018 and was a finalist in the LATAM category of PRWeek Global Awards in 2018 and 2019. Race Communications represents a number of national clients from Brazil and multinational companies targeting the Brazilian market in the fields of finance, food and beverages and logistics and transport. The agency was founded in 1999 by Rogério Artoni, a former journalist who has been named one of the 350 most influential PR professionals in the world by PRWeek. Clients of Race Communications include Allianz Partners, Ajinomoto Food Industry, Atlas Copco, Cetelem Bank, Euler Hermes, DHL, Petronas, Statkraft and Syngenta from outside Brazil and Brazilian companies Prati-Donaduzzi, Norsul, Marilan, Verzani & Sandrini, ANIP – Associação Nacional das Industrias de Pneus, JBS and Dynatest. “The network is excited to welcome Peritus PR and Race Communications to the PRGN family of globally-connected communications professionals,” said Alexandra Diniță, President of PRGN and general manager of Free Communication in Bucharest, Romania. “With Peritus PR, PRGN furthers its coverage in the United States where local representation especially in community relations is key. And Race Communications strengthens the network’s presence, especially with three offices in Brazil, the largest economy in South America. Our new members not only extend PRGN’s international coverage, but also add to the global expertise and service capabilities of our network.” About PRGN: Founded in 1992 by a group of visionary public relations leaders, with approximately 1,000 professionals in 54 locations, PRGN is one of the world’s largest international public relations networks. PRGN partners are independent, local, owner-operated public relations and marketing communications firms that share expertise and resources, while providing broad-based comprehensive communications strategies to clients worldwide. Companies or organizations interested in the services of PRGN’s local agency network can visit the Agency Directory or contact PRGN’s executive director Gábor Jelinek at gabor.jelinek@prgn.com for more information. Independent agencies interested in joining the network can visit the member recruitment section of the PRGN website for more information or email its membership chair, David Wills, Senior Vice President of Media Profile at david.wills@mediaprofile.com Contact Details Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) Gabor Jelinek gabor.jelinek@prgn.com Company Website https://prgn.com

May 18, 2021 10:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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

Channel Factory

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

May 18, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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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

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

LevLane

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

May 18, 2021 07:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HPL Cyber Survey Finds Enterprise Cybersecurity Purchases are Driven by The Vendor’s Reputation, Not Cost or Expertise

HPL Cyber

A new survey of more than 250 corporate IT professionals conducted in March 2021, conducted by YouGov on behalf of HPL Cyber, indicates that the growth of the cybersecurity industry has led to increased clutter among vendors vying for IT professionals’ attention and share-of-wallet. In fact, the research revealed almost 30% of respondents don’t know the name of their current cybersecurity provider, and 68% are overwhelmed by the sheer number of cybersecurity vendors. “The cyber market is awash in brands that sound the same and use indistinguishable sales and marketing strategies,” said Ted Birkhahn, President of HPL Cyber. “This presents a real challenge for IT professionals who are under increasing pressure to sift through the clutter to find the right partner and solutions that best protect them from ever-evolving threats.” The research found the number one factor when it comes to purchasing cyber security products was brand reputation (41%), which outweighs other factors including cost, expertise and even third-party referrals. Nearly one-third (30%) of respondents cite a lack of brand awareness as one of the biggest barriers when purchasing from cyber vendors. What’s more, when making cybersecurity purchasing decisions, 55% say that case studies, webinars and news articles are more effective than traditional fear-based marketing. When deciding to make a purchase, articles published in cyber, tech and business publications ranked first on the list of resources used (33%) followed by proof of concept. Factors near the bottom of the list when deciding to make a purchase included advertising and cold calling. The Cyber Buyer’s Conundrum Buyers are overwhelmed, underfunded and face intense pressure to protect their organization’s assets from evolving cyber threats. Most respondents are concerned about an imminent cyber attack (95%); additionally, more than half of respondents (52%) cite fear of data loss, followed by 37% indicating a loss of reputation. But only 16% claim they purchase cybersecurity solutions after an attack, noting that the cluttered marketplace, being wary of “ fast-talking salesmen selling snake oil ” and “ a lack of product effectiveness and lack of documentation,” as major impediments on the path to purchase. “Sales and marketing teams in the cyber industry require a fresh approach in how they target, message their ability to solve their customers’ cyber defense challenges -- especially in the wake of a cyber incident where vulnerability is high and time is of the essence,” said Charles Sirois of HPL Cyber. “Buyers are skeptical and they need support throughout the buying cycle to better assess the reputation of the vendor, the value proposition of the product, and the alignment of the proposed solution to the problems they are trying to solve.” Additional Survey Findings: The survey also asked buyers about what they perceive as their company’s most pressing cybersecurity gaps and weaknesses. Email attacks topped the list (30%) followed by outdated systems and insider threats. The field is crowded and while most buyers purchase directly from cyber vendors, others still use managed services providers or third-party consultants: 82% of respondents purchase cyber products directly from Cyber vendors all or some of the time and if companies do not purchase directly, half (50%) use managed service providers followed next by consultants and advisors (41%). More than half (55%) of respondents said business enablement marketing (thought leadership, case studies, etc.) is more effective than fear-based marketing, signaling that while fear can be used as an effective motivator, it should be more significantly balanced with smart, insightful thought leadership that educates, informs, and provides thoughtful solutions. If the pendulum swings too far to fear-based approaches, it will likely damage credibility and reputation of the cybersecurity brand. For more information on the Survey, please contact Ted Birkhahn at tedb@hotpaperlantern.com. Research Methodology The Hot Paper Lantern Cybersecurity Survey was conducted by the independent research arm within HPL Cyber, in collaboration with YouGov. The survey was conducted online, with a total sample size of 252 U.S. cybersecurity buyers. The survey was administered in March 2021. About HPL Cyber HPL Cyber is a specialty area within HPL focused on helping cybersecurity companies grow. We help brands break through and achieve greater relevance through a combination of deep expertise in the cybersecurity industry, a unique comprehension of buyers’ perceptions and purchasing behavior, and a marketing formula with proven success. Please visit our website for more information: https://www.hplcyber.com Contact Details HPL Cyber Matthew Panichas +1 212-931-6190 mpanichas@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.hplcyber.com/

May 18, 2021 07:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Significant Burden of Migraine Disease

YourUpdateTV

The National Headache Foundation announced findings from a new survey, Preventing Migraine Attacks: A Current Perspective, which characterizes the experiences of people living with migraine and highlights the physical and emotional barriers to preventive treatment. Recently, Jill Dehlin, Chairperson for the National Headache Foundation (NHF) Patient Leadership Council – and someone who suffers from migraines – teamed with YourUpdateTV on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss this debilitating disease. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/xavJfPIoufU The survey found half (50%) of people with migraine are extremely dissatisfied with their current ability to control their disease and report a range of emotions as a result, including frustration (39%), exhaustion (29%), stress (19%) and anxiety (15%). Despite the variety of options currently available to treat and prevent migraines, most people with migraine still aren’t able to completely control their disease and the negative effects and feelings that come with it. In fact, most responders (84%) currently taking a preventive treatment wish there was a better treatment option. According to Jill Dehlin, “migraine is the second most debilitating disease worldwide and it impacts all facets of a person’s life, causing significant emotional and physical distress. So many people with migraine live in fear every day because they don’t know when an attack will hit…In this survey, many people reported feeling they are chasing an unreachable goal to get their migraine disease under control, highlighting the need for new preventive treatment options, as well as resources to educate and empower them to take control of their disease.” The survey also explored how migraine disproportionately affects women and people of color to better understand their unique experiences and address challenges. For nearly half of women with migraine disease (48%), hormonal changes related to menstruation, menopause or childbirth triggered worsening of their migraine disease. Black and Hispanic people with migraine reported being more likely to feel worry, fear, and anxiety at the thought of taking a preventive treatment. But when asked about treating their disease overall, 77% of Black and 73% of Hispanic responders say they wish they had sought care sooner. For more information, visit: headaches.org About The National Headache Foundation: Founded in 1970, the National Headache Foundation is the oldest and largest foundation for individuals living with migraine disease and headache disorders. The NHF is the premier educational and informational resource for those in the headache community, health care professionals, and the public. The four pillars of the NHF are education, awareness, advocacy, and research. NHF works to inform policymakers, at the national and state levels, and the general public of the need to help patients get access to safe and appropriate care. Through its WorkMigraine program, the NHF reaches out to employers throughout the US to provide education for their staff and support in their efforts to minimize the cost and impact of chronic headaches. The Foundation works to educate and encourage the 40 million Americans with migraine and chronic headaches to become self-advocates with their healthcare practitioners, insurers, employers, and families. 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 17, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST SEEKS COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Comcast Arizona

As students and families across Southern Arizona look forward to summer break, Comcast is equipping multiple locations across the greater Tucson area with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” before the end of 2021. As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast is providing robust, free WiFi in nonprofit, community, and city partner locations. The Lift Zone initiative provides free connectivity inside partner centers for the next three years. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson was one of the first Lift Zones installed in Southern Arizona. The Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse has utilized their Lift Zone to keep students connected to important resources during the past school year and will continue to be a critical connection point for students throughout the summer. “Equipping our Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse with a Lift Zone has made a huge difference in the lives of the students we serve,” said Adam Ortiz, Clubhouse Director. “While some of our students have an internet connection at home, staying at home during the summer days often isn’t possible. The clubhouse is a safe space where students can come to connect to the internet, and with each other.” Comcast is currently accepting nominations for potential Lift Zone sites across Southern Arizona. Community partners can visit https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/ to learn more and nominate their organization. “Access to the Internet is a critical component of digital equity, and we’re proud to partner with key community organizations in making that possible through our Lift Zones,” said Chris Dunkeson, Area Vice President, Comcast. “There is no single answer to address the digital divide, but we’re working hard to bridge the gap for as many students and families in our Southern Arizona service footprint as possible.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect millions of low-income people to the Internet at home, including 11,600 in Southern Arizona. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Julianne Phares +1 505-218-0961 julianne_phares@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://arizona.comcast.com/lift-zones/

May 17, 2021 01:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time

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