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Despite Gender Pay Gap, Women Lead The Next Wave of Wealth Transfer by Jennifer Lang Financial Services.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. Jennifer Lang +1 877-487-8926 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

May 11, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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EDUCATORS CAN FOSTER TRUST IN SCIENCE THROUGH GLOBAL PLEDGE

International Day of Light Steering Committee

For more than a year, educators worldwide have been forced to transform the way they teach. However, advancements in science, specifically telecommunications, enabled the shift from a traditional classroom to remote learning environments. Today, scientific developments, including health advancements such as vaccines and testing, are allowing students to return to physical classrooms. The Trust Science pledge, a worldwide campaign to promote support for the scientific process and acknowledge the many benefits of science for society, offers a valuable teaching tool to help educators draw attention to the crucial role science plays in improving our quality of life. In celebration of this year’s International Day of Light on 16 May, the pledge is allowing people, particularly educators and students, around the world to affirm their support for science and the scientific process. Students can be leaders in understanding and defending science. Just as educators teach skills that build students’ scientific literacy to help them evaluate facts, they can offer ways for students to affirm confidence in the scientific process. “A dedicated effort to building—and in some cases, rebuilding—trust in science will prepare students to be the scientifically informed leaders we desperately need,” said Dr. Desiré Whitmore, Senior Physics Educator and Staff Physicist at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA. Additional resources for educators are available on the Trust Science website, including hands-on activity videos, lesson plans, posters to download, activities and lessons, links to online resources and the Laser Classroom. To date, the pledge has seen enthusiastic support worldwide with more than 2,500 signatures, including Nobel and Breakthrough Prize laureates, UNESCO L’Oréal For Women in Science prize winners, Presidents and CEOs of major scientific bodies, as well as scientists and students from more than 20 different countries. The Trust Science campaign is organized by the IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The Optical Society (OSA), together with the International Day of Light Steering Committee. To sign the pledge and to learn more, please go to https://www.trust-science.org Contacts For questions about how you can engage with the campaign, please contact: info@trust-science.org For media inquiries, please contact: pr@trust-science.org Social media: please share using #TrustScience and #LightDay2021 Social media links: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter About the International Day of Light The International Day of Light (IDL) is a worldwide initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The International Day of Light is administered from the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of UNESCO by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from a broad range of international partners: the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), Bosca, the China International Optoelectronic Exhibition (CIOE), Chinese Optical Society (COS), the European Centres for Outreach in Photonics (ECOP), the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), lightsources.org - the international network of accelerator based light sources, Light: Science and Applications, The Optical Society (OSA), Tampere University, SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, SESAME, Signify, Tampere University, Thorlabs, Transitions, the Université de Franche-Comté and Velux. For information about the International Day of Light, please visit www.lightday.org Contacts for IDL: John Dudley and Joseph Niemela 2021 Steering Committee Chairs Email: contact@lightday.org Bethany Downer 2021 Communications Coordinator Email: contact@lightday.org Media Contact for Trust Science: pr@trust-science.org About IEEE Photonics Society The IEEE Photonics Society is the professional home for a global network of scientists, engineers and allied professionals who advance laser, optoelectronics, and photonics technology. As a technical society representing the IEEE, it is a vital part of the world’s largest technical professional organization of more than 400,000 members dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives, the IEEE Photonics Society provides its members in more than 160 countries the opportunity to grow professionally and stay on the forefront of transformational breakthroughs in photonics. PhotonicsSociety.org About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2020, SPIE provided more than $5 million in support of education and outreach programs. www.spie.org About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders in light science and technology. The society serves over 432,000 customers and 22,000 members from more than 100 countries who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the field. OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts through world-renowned publications. For more information, visit osa.org. Contact Details pr@trust-science.org +1 703-907-0010 pr@trust-science.org Company Website https://www.trust-science.org

May 11, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Probiotic Skincare Start Up, Layers, Enters Burgeoning Microbiome-Focused Category With Holistic Inside + Out Beauty Approach

Layers Probiotic Skincare

Layers, a new probiotic skincare company, officially debuted four SKUs of synergistic high-performance products in the beauty and wellness category. With the understanding that superior skincare results are ultimately achieved by respecting our microbiome, Layers formulated their products with effective hard-hitting ingredients that work to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, enhance skin brightness, and improve elasticity while protecting and supporting the skin barrier. The result is dramatically improved skin without irritation. Microbiome and probiotic skincare are poised to be a large and enduring category, slated to grow to be 13% of the overall skincare market by 2030, as stated by Mintel. According to market research consultancy Verify Markets, microbiome skincare sales are projected to rise in double-digit percentages through 2023 across several countries, including United States (24.8%), Germany (22.2%) and Japan (19.8%). Layers inside + outside approach to healthy skin lies in the science-based Human Microbiome Project which illustrates the symbiotic relationship between our gut and skin, called the gut-skin axis. These two seemingly separate systems talk to one another through your microbiome, the trillions of good bacteria whose micro-language is responsible for everything from releasing natural antibiotics to supporting our immune system to improving hydration and supporting collagen production. Ignored by the skin care industry for decades, these bacteria dramatically impact skin health; imbalances can manifest as accelerated aging, extreme dryness, and even skin conditions such as eczema. On a mission to educate consumers, Layers believes in addressing the two holistically by providing effective, scientifically-proven, power-packed ingredients to improve skin health and appearance. “We continue to learn more every day about how our body’s systems are connected with one another and with our microbiome. Layers harnesses the power of probiotics to bolster these connections and bring your best, glowing skin to the surface.” - Rachel Behm, Founder of Layers With almost a decade of corporate experience in big beauty, Layers Founder Rachel Behm is a former Johnson & Johnson executive who worked on brands like Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Aveeno, Lubriderm, and ultimately oversaw the Johnson & Johnson Incubator Program. Layers and Behm are backed by Ignite Venture Studio, an accelerator of new and existing brands co-founded by CPG veterans Josh Ghaim and Jeff B. Smith. Behm’s personal interest in the microbiome stems from the work she did as a lab technician on The Human Genome Project, which underscored the importance of the more recent Human Microbiome Project. Layers debut assortment includes an ingestible, Daily Glow Probiotic Supplements, a dual-sided formula with a potent 5-strain probiotic on one side and a ceramide extract on the other, along with a complementary three step skincare regimen; Balancing Milky Cleanser, Probiotic Serum, and Immunity Moisturizer, that repairs the skin while strengthening the barrier. Prices range from $29-$89. Behm believes that the self-care experience should be indulgent as it is effective, which is why she chose beautiful glass packaging, a complex yet subtle fragrance, and highly efficacious active ingredients. Available initially for pre-sale, the products can now be purchased on the brand’s direct-to-consumer website, with retail expansion expected by late 2021. Founded in 2021 by ex-Johnson & Johnson executive Rachel Behm, Layers Skincare recognizes beautiful skin begins with a thriving microbiome and harnesses the power of probiotics to boost the body’s natural ability to bring your best skin to the surface. Potent supplements + science-backed topicals, developed by industry experts, fuel the gut–skin connection to reveal dramatically renewed skin that glows from the inside out. Contact Details Amanda Smeal Consulting, Inc. Amanda Smeal amanda@amandasmeal.com Aimee Moss aimee@aimeemoss.net Company Website https://mylayers.com

May 11, 2021 08:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LevLane Advertising Appoints Nicole Landau as Chief Financial Officer

LevLane

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LevLane Advertising, a full-service advertising agency and 37-year veteran of the Philadelphia marketing scene, announced today the addition of Nicole Landau as its new CFO. Landau will oversee all agency financial functions and will serve as a key member of the executive team. Landau is a seasoned business executive with over 20 years of experience in senior financial leadership roles. Before LevLane, Landau served as Chief Financial at Seven C’s Hospitality Solutions, where she oversaw all finance and accounting operations. She began her career at Arthur Andersen before joining Digitas Health as Senior Finance Manager, followed by a decade-long stint as VP of Finance at DiD Agency. “Nicole’s background in financial leadership and operations was a perfect fit for us,” said Josh Lev, SVP Brand Engagement at LevLane. “She is exactly who we need in this role to help us reach the next level.” The agency has expanded services in recent years and is ready to capitalize on that momentum – something Landau will be integral in. “I’m thrilled to be part of the LevLane family. They have already done the hard work of building a unique culture and a stellar reputation in the advertising world,” said Landau. “I'm excited to continue that mission and I'm confident that together we can create the right financial structure to drive consistent growth." 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, SVP of Content, Social Media and PR +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 11, 2021 07:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Tayler Jade Hits Top 40 Mediabase Chart with "WYA"

Tayler Jade

Tayler Jade and artist development partners Thomas Barsoe of OC Hit and Dani Thompson of DNT Entertainment, released “WYA;” part two of Jades first ever dual single release “Temporary/WYA.” Within the first few weeks of release, a radio movement has pushed Tayler Jade onto the Mainstream Top 40 Mediabase Activator Chart alongside the biggest artists in the world such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Since its chart introduction on April 24th at #94, “WYA” has climbed 19 spots and is holding strong at #75. In the first week the single started showing legs on the BDS Most Added List with three mainstream station pickups including Kiss FM and Q101. In the second week those adds doubled. “WYA” is currently playing on multiple Top 40 stations all across the country such as: WSKS/WSKU “Kiss FM 97.9,105.5,” KXNC “Kiss FM 104.7,” WJDQ “Q101,” KSPI “Hot 93.7,” WJYY “105.5 JYY,” WKMX “106.7 KMX,” WQRW “Q 93.5,” and WVIN 98.3 to name a few. “For an independent artist that was just introduced to the world in February of 2021 to be sharing the same airways as the biggest names in music is an amazing accomplishment. We are so proud of Tayler and can’t wait to see what's next.” - Dani Thompson An EDM dance remix will follow the original version of “WYA” which was written by Tayler Jade (Tayler Lynch) and Jacquie Hishmeh, produced by Mikey Francis and Robbie Dean (Robbie Crebar), mixed and mastered by Luca Pretolesi with the support of engineer Robert Guzman, and vocally produced by Thomas Barsoe. Tayler Jade is an American Pop/R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist from Southern California. She has spent the past 2 years in the studio working on her first original EP which will be released in 2021 as a series of singles, starting with “Temporary” on February 12th. Her electrifying voice and sultry beats create a physical reaction that is sure to send chills down your spine. Her main musical influences are female powerhouses such as Tori Kelly, Ariana Grande, Victoria Monet and Summer Walker. Learn more at https://www.taylerjade.com/ Contact Details DNT Agency Dani Thompson +1 714-496-5152 danithompson@dntagency.com Company Website https://www.taylerjade.com/

May 07, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Goodway Group Forms Strategic Digital Partnership with Online Grocery Delivery Platform Good Eggs

Goodway Group

Goodway Group, the digital partner advertisers trust to deliver campaign performance and media efficiency, has formed a strategic partnership with online grocery delivery platform, Good Eggs. Within this new partnership, Goodway Group is focused on driving Good Eggs’ customer acquisition by building the brand’s performance and direct marketing capabilities. Since the onset of the partnership, Goodway Group has helped achieve Good Eggs’ aggressive new customer goal, delivering more new customers in March 2021 than ever previously recorded as being delivered by paid media. As a growing DTC startup, Good Eggs is committed to providing the best quality groceries directly to customers' doors in the San Francisco Bay area, while supporting local, ethically sourced food. Additionally, the company is the only solution in the market that provides groceries and meal kits without a required subscription. Marketing has always been a key initiative at Good Eggs, and the company found that Goodway Group’s unique approach was unlike any other option it had seen in the market. In order to further highlight the Good Eggs brand, Goodway Group is focused on creating a customer service function that uses site and predictive analytics to drive marketing investment decisions, while prioritizing custom solutions tailored to the platform. Goodway Group is acting as Good Eggs’ direct response agency and is the only provider of digital execution, running all forms of the DTC brand’s media, social, SEM and display, audio, native, video, and CTV. “Everything we do at Good Eggs is centered around our customer. We’ve always looked for the best quality products to offer and local farmers and producers are core to this. Our brand is dependent on a top-of-the-line customer experience, which means that our customer acquisition engine must always be top of mind,” Vineet Mehra, Chief Growth and CX Officer at Good Eggs. “From our website to social media, all touchpoints must be prioritized to offer the best possible experience for our customers. We are excited to be working with Goodway Group as they help us to achieve our business goals.” Through this partnership, Goodway Group is taking site-side data from all major platforms and using that to identify how to best utilize it in the customer acquisition engine, while pulling from data on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual scale to drive top of the line predictive outcomes. Good Eggs has also hired a dedicated team of engineers to make real-time changes, such as tagging, tracking, event UX and website changes or enhancements, based on the needs of the business – ultimately to aid in getting changes to market in a faster, more efficient way. “We are thrilled to partner with Good Eggs as they continue to provide an exceptional experience for their customers,” said Jay Friedman, President at Goodway Group. “Through a focus on performance marketing and unique digital solutions, we’ve been able to act as an extension of the Good Eggs in-house team and form a successful partnership that has already seen valuable results.” 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 06, 2021 01:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Norwegian Cruise Line Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week By 'Giving Joy' to Educators Across the U.S. and Canada

YourUpdateTV

In recognition and celebration of the countless teachers who have spent the last 15 months giving their all to students across the U.S. and Canada during these unprecedented times, Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, announced this week the relaunch of its "Norwegian's Giving Joy TM" contest, which provides educators with free cruises and a chance to win up to $25,000 for their schools. Recently, Christine Da Silva, Vice President of Communications and Events at Norwegian Cruise Line, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss this exciting initiative. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/_QgnTvXUAvQ "Norwegian's Giving Joy" acknowledges the often-undervalued work of educators and highlights the intersection between travel and education. First launched with astounding success in 2019, with over 1.4 million votes for more than 46,000 teachers, and a total prize of over $100,000 for schools across North America, the contest heralds these selfless warriors. This year's campaign is especially significant given the elevated demands of this profession under pressure. For more information and to vote and nominate for a deserving teacher, visit nclgivingjoy.com About Christine Da Silva: Christine Da Silva is the vice president of Communication for Norwegian Cruise Line, responsible for the development and execution of the brand’s global external and internal communication strategy. Overseeing the Communication and Events teams, she leads the development of the brand narrative; is responsible for reputation, crisis and issue management; and has been instrumental in the launch of engagement initiatives including the game-changing Giving Joy and Encore Moments campaigns as well as the debut of the Company’s latest vessels. Da Silva has over 20 years of experience guiding brands and businesses in delivering authentic and impactful messages through integrated communication and marketing strategies that drive growth, sales and awareness. She is based in the Company’s head office in Miami, Florida 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 06, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Osmo’s Math Wizard Debuts Two Additions That Let Students Embrace Math, Just As Studies Suggest Larger Learning Loss in Math Due to Pandemic

Osmo

With research suggesting a greater learning loss in mathematics, over reading, among K-8 students during the pandemic, and many school districts have yet to reopen full-time, in-person learning, parents are looking for affordable, supplemental at-home learning to help kids with math, and avoid a gap in learning. They are also looking for products to help a child struggling with math or needing a confidence boost to learn it. To meet this growing demand, Osmo launched, for the first time ever, a learning series-- Math Wizard, which now offers two additions. The curriculum-inspired series’ active learning approach allows kids to learn math through tactile play and use of creativity and imagination, so much that they are eager, if not thrilled, to learn more. “What’s amazing is that 20,000 kids played Math Wizard and solved more than 3.5 million math problems since Oct. 1, 2020,” says Pramod Sharma, CEO of award-winning STEAM brand Osmo. “Parents who witnessed their kids using the product were thrilled with their child’s engagement and really liked the healthy screen time.” Self-Paced Games Build Math Confidence, Decrease Anxiety The eight-part Math Wizard series allows kids to experience math through hands-on, narrative- and adventure-driven games, where kids use manipulatives to experiment, exercise their imagination and creativity. The self-paced games drive enthusiasm and help build math confidence, decreasing math anxiety commonly-felt by students and parents, and inspire kids to solve problems on their own--a hallmark of all Osmo games. For struggling learners, targeted hints are built into the games to nudge them along so they find a correct answer, and remain engaged. The series is intended for kids 6-8 years (grades 1-2), and perfect for learning at home. The first two titles of the series cover the foundations of addition and subtraction, and introduce students to measurement standards, while the third and fourth titles focus on laying foundations for multiplication and division, adding more than two numbers, understanding how equations are formed, and addition and subtraction fluency. Families can start a child’s education by purchasing any title within the series. Newest Additions to Math Wizard The third title in the series is Math Wizard and the Amazing Airships (available for iPad and Fire; retail $59.99 at playosmo.com and Amazon.com ), which focuses on mathematical thinking, where kids join Rupert the robot mouse in building and designing airships for the many islands of Spellbarrow Port. Using math and Rupert’s magical wrench, kids deliver packages, balance objects so they can fly, and navigate challenges like thunderstorms and high winds. Amazing Airships features two games and the box contains: 1 Magical Board; 16 Ship Pieces; 16 Cargo Pieces; 12 Balloon Pieces. The two games contained within are: Airships - players build airships on their mat and test them in the skies, learning how to balance lift (balloons) and weight (packages, wood blocks) so they can fly. Clockwork - in this all-digital game, players use their fingers and counting skills to wind up a team of quirky clockwork robots, to the right amount, so they can move around the port Kids will learn: Building and balancing equations Practicing addition and subtraction Solving for an unknown value Introduction to algebraic thinking The fourth title is Math Wizard and the Enchanted World Games (available for iPad and Fire; retail $59.99 at playosmo.com and Amazon.com ), which sets the foundations of multiplication and inspires critical thinking. Here, kids create power smoothies and meals for athletes across various competitions! Using math skills, they give their team the right mix of magic ingredients needed to win the gold. The box features 2 games and contains: 1 Lunchbox Mat; 27 Fruit & Veggie Pieces; 1 Juice Mat; 12 Fruit Strips; 1 Magical Token. The two games contained within are: Bento Box - players choose from five different sports and help athletes by packing them a magic lunchbox requiring the best combination of fruits Juice Team - elite athletes across four different sports count upon players to blend the right number of fruits to create a magic juice, so they can win trophies Kids will learn: Repeated addition as a foundation of multiplication Advanced addition and subtraction Number decomposition Analytical skills Osmo also offers a 4-box set featuring 4 Math Wizard titles ( Magical Workshop, Secrets of the Dragons, Amazing Airships and Enchanted World Games ) and includes a base for iPad or Fire ( retail $236 at playosmo.com and Amazon.com). The fifth title in the Math Wizard series will debut in Fall 2021. Praised By Parents & Teachers; Math is a Critical Life Skill “ Math Wizard couldn’t have come at a better time! Since we are distance learning, the kids could use the extra hands on help with math. The creative story lines and fun physical items made teaching math concepts fun! The layout was similar to how they teach common core in school so that was extremely helpful.” Jenielle Chaney, parent, Orange County, California “ Math Wizard is helping my students to subitize basic addition problems. They love to get their turns making potions and that makes them love addition and subtraction. The visual of using tens and ones is also reinforcing place value. Both basic addition and understanding place value are key foundations to success in learning mathematics in the future. To have a successful life, you have to have basic math skills. Math is used in just about every aspect of life.” Zandra Clay, first grade teacher, Lockhart, Texas “In my opinion, math is definitely a critical life skill. Through math, students are able to analyze options, make decisions, and find new ways of thinking and problem-solving. These skills are needed for day-to-day activities....” Alexa Brown, elementary school teacher, Alma, Alabama Additional teacher feedback here. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 30,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. iPad & Fire Compatibility for Math Wizard Contact Details Karen O'Dell +1 310-251-0550 karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

May 06, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Graphic novel tackles disinformation around COVID-19 Vaccine and critical 5G infrastructure

Stockwood Strategy

Sophisticated social media campaigns sponsored by bad state actors are responsible for creating and spreading disinformation around the critical Covid-19 Vaccine and emerging infrastructure such as 5G technology for communications. Erly Stage Studios has today published Bug Bytes, the digital graphic novel, which sheds a light on the disruptive forces at work. This book is the second installment of the graphic novels that are a part of the Resilience Series commissioned by the US Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Bug Bytes will inform and educate people on the dangers and risks associated with dis- and mis- information through fictional stories inspired by real-world events. In Bug Bytes, readers will meet the protagonist Ava Williams, a journalist and academic, patriot and member of Symous - a group fighting disinformation and foreign interference in elections as polling day approaches. Ava’s life gets tangled up in a web of lies as her father, a 5G technician gets hurt and she works to understand what a seemingly innocent poll online related to 5G technology has to do with the 5G Vaccine? Ava is surprised by the reaction of the anti-vaccination community at what is proven to be engineered data and has the unenviable task of making the case to the public at large for how they can be weary on data online with unproven provenance. Farid Haque, founder and CEO of Erly Stage Studios commented: “We’re delighted to have been commissioned by CISA to create a practical and engaging communication tool that highlights the existential threat of disinformation in the context of bad state actors. While the story is fictional many of the approaches shown are very much grounded in the reality of the technology we live with and are exposed to almost daily.” Bug Bytes provides a unique education for the reader about the world of social media and how digital resources can be hijacked to serve a more nefarious agenda. The ability for foreign bad state actors to weld this kind of influence on another nation is unprecedented as is their ability to twist and manipulate a narrative to use domestic groups to do their bidding. The work helps the reader understand the need to exercise care when it comes to consuming news and information via social media platforms and online sources of information. In the story, Ava Williams and a team of patriots are racing against the clock to shine a spotlight on the source of disinformation engineered to hurt critical communication infrastructure and damage the Vaccine roll-out efforts. Ava’s investigative journalism leads her through the metaverse to find allies and discovers through hard graft that foreign actors are tinkering with public data to maliciously mislead and influence perceptions of 5G as a communications technology and its fabricated link to vaccine effectiveness. “Bug Bytes is the culmination of the wealth of experience that Clint Watts brings in cyber warfare and disinformation and our studio’s creative direction and storytelling style. We spent months researching the real life incidents and then wrapped them into a fictional story” added Farid Haque. The graphic novel is being made available by CISA to the general public online as a free resource as the Covid19 vaccine roll out continues to have an impact across the United States and the world at large. The work is available for free for the public and media to read at the following URL: https://www.cisa.gov/cfi-resilience-series-graphic-novels. A first title in the series was released a few months earlier last year ahead of the US elections titled Real Fakes. Watch this space and log back into https://publishing.erlystagestudios.com/ to learn more. Contributing artists to Bug Bytes include: Jose Niño Galenzoga, Patricia Beja, Mona Shan and Joel Santiago. Lettering and layouts by Komal N. and Haroon M. Story by Clint Watts and Farid Haque, supported by the script writing team which includes Michael Gianfrancesco and Kabir Sabharwal. Edited by Tolly M. and Laila Khan. Special thanks to Randall Heather and Max Brooks. Erly Stage Studios is an indie publisher, headquartered out of London, United Kingdom, capturing iconic stories in serious graphic novels. We are an expert team of educators, storytellers, and artists working to create awareness about important topics using the graphic novel medium. The team loves shining a spotlight on stories that are yet to see the light of graphic novels. As an expert team of teachers, researchers and designers the team works with innovative organisations and policymakers around the world to deliver soft power through engaging and creative projects. Contact Details Erly Stage Studios Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://publishing.erlystagestudios.com/

May 06, 2021 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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