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Listen B*tch Tackles Toxic Bounce Back Culture, Encouraging New Moms to Embrace ‘Mom Puberty’ Instead

Listen B*tch

Canadian wellness brand, Listen B*tch, is launching a campaign that challenges bounce back culture and urges new moms to embrace the physical, psychological, and emotional transformation that comes with motherhood - a process they’re calling ‘Mom Puberty’. The campaign launches with a series of rallying billboards across Toronto alongside a digital gallery that offers an unfiltered view on the postpartum period while encouraging women to dismiss societal pressures to 'bounce back'. The campaign targets bounce back culture which disregards the physical and mental recovery needed postpartum and places unrealistic expectations on women to “snapback” to their former selves. “Embracing and normalizing the change you're experiencing is a powerful way to combat bounce-back culture,” says Listen B*tch Co-Founder, Daniela Angelucci-Rizzi. “Similar to adolescence, becoming a mother is a transitional period which involves physical, hormonal, psychological and emotional changes. That process is known as 'Matrescence’. Or as we like to call it - ‘Mom Puberty”. The campaign aims to redefine the cultural conversation around postpartum experiences by presenting a more realistic view of the joys and hardships that new motherhood presents. As part of this initiative, Listen B*tch is launching an online gallery showcasing unfiltered portraits of postpartum moms. The portraits are accompanied by personal narratives that explore their transformative journey into motherhood - the challenges, triumphs, and the things they think new or expecting moms should know. In addition to the online gallery, Listen B*tch is bringing this campaign to the streets of Toronto with billboards that champion the same message. The billboards can be found at, College & Dovercourt, Queen St West & Augusta Ave, Dundas St West & Rusholme Rd, Queen St West & Noble St, Queen St West & Triller Ave, and College St & Clinton St. On May 6th from 5pm-9pm, the general public will have the opportunity to attend an exhibit of the project at Cry Baby Gallery in Toronto. The brand is also donating copies of their New Mom and Pregnancy Affirmation Card Decks to support groups at Sunnybrook and North York General Hospital, as a way to provide tangible support and encouragement to women navigating the complexities of motherhood. To capture the raw portraits of the Canadian moms, Listen B*tch partnered with Toronto-based photographer and mom, Jorian Charlton whose work has been featured at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Art Gallery of Mississauga, and the critically acclaimed exhibition - The New Black Vanguard. Listen B*tch is a Canadian, women-owned wellness brand that was co-founded by entrepreneurs Daniela Angelucci-Rizzi & Michelle Osei-Bonsu. The brand, best known for their cheeky deck of affirmation cards, launched two new affirmation card decks in 2024 focusing on expecting moms and new moms. Contact Details Langton PR Inc. Amanpreet Dhami, Account Director Amanpreet@langtonpr.com Langton PR Inc. Daniel Pillai, Vice President Daniel@langtonpr.com Company Website https://www.listenbitch.ca/

May 02, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Media Agency Shift - Genius Monkey’s Assessment

Genius Monkey

Looking back 20 – 25 years ago, you simply could not get your commercial on TV, your ad on a billboard, or mailers sent out to your audience without going through an advertising agency. They were the end-all-be-all for anything you needed in marketing and there really was no other option. But the advertising landscape has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades, thanks in no small part to new technologies and – more recently – a worldwide pandemic that changed how many companies prioritize resources. The media agency is going through a paradigm shift. Here is our assessment of where we are and where we are going. The COVID Effect In 2013, around 58% of marketers had transitioned to in-house agencies in an effort to cut costs and middlemen. When the pandemic hit in 2019, this process accelerated and saw many businesses adopt the in-house method, whether they were ready for it or not. Many companies’ internal teams – which were already understaffed and overworked – quickly began getting overburdened by the immense workload. Agencies that previously had Google experts, GRP buying teams, social media departments and more were now being significantly downsized, sometimes reducing teams to as little as 2-5 people in total. These teams were also generally using self-serve platforms, a supposedly cost-effective solution where the advertiser builds and maintains campaigns themselves. If the team found themselves lacking the expertise needed on certain platforms or ways of buying media, there wasn’t much they could do. Marketing suffered, and many companies found themselves in this situation amid the upheaval of Covid-19. From Self-Serve to Fully-Managed For better or worse, the majority of the industry followed this path. In 2023, a full 82% of marketers had transitioned to an in-house model; today, many teams are now starting to feel the squeeze. They need more efficient tools and all-in-one platforms that can help them do more with less time. Enter the fully-managed platform, where the ad tech companies build and maintain the campaigns for the advertiser. With this methodology switch, advertisers can remain on 15-20+ DSPs/networks in a fraction of the set up and management time, all while having a much more accessible and digestible all-in-one reporting location. Above all, advertisers could make use of the expertise that came with a fully managed platform: a support group they could always come to for help with specific and nuanced marketing questions. Ad placements and programmatic campaigns become a footnote so in-house teams can focus on branding, company voice, and other areas where they are the experts. The Media Agency Shift So where does this leave the media agency? There are things that an agency can do better than anyone; there’s no better partner for brand development, TV GRP buying and more. But in an evolving landscape, agencies also need to adapt if they want to thrive. The best agencies find the best partners and assimilate a team with the expertise to help companies thrive and aggressively pursue their goals. Embracing fully managed platforms is just one example of how agencies can reap the same benefits as the in-house teams with: Full ad coverage with placements on all devices Access to programmatic experts Campaigns supervised by humans instead of an AI. Decreased costs and more efficient workflows. Genius Monkey data alone shows a 19% better cost per conversion on fully managed over self-serve with even better metrics on CPC, CPM and other key data points. Efficiency is the metric of the future, and fully-managed platforms are built to deliver it. The Genius Monkey Difference Of course, not all programmatic platforms are created equal, and finding the right fit is step one to reaping the benefits of modern marketing. Featuring the latest technologies and spanning dozens of networks and DSPs, Genius Monkey is the farthest-reaching platform on the planet, built to track every detail of the customer journey and cut your cost-per-conversion. No matter your audience, no matter your industry, Genius Monkey can help you evolve your marketing to the next level. Get in touch with us today to see how! Contact Details Genius Monkey Travis Champ- Chief Operating Officer Info@geniusmonkey.com Company Website https://geniusmonkey.com/

May 01, 2024 03:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Industry Visionaries Share Perspectives on the Future of Marketing and Communications at The PR Net Future Focus Conference

The PR Net

On April 12th The PR Net hosted its second annual Future Focus Conference at Kimpton Eventi’s dedicated event space, SECOND, assembling top industry figures to discuss the future of marketing and communications. The full-day conference featured six panels interspersed with networking sessions and attracted a diverse audience of senior executives from various sectors. Panels were themed around hot topics such as the reinvention of modern media, the future of events & experiences (presented by Snap, Inc.), what's next in influencer marketing (presented by Trend Companies), the effects and applications of AI, affiliate marketing strategies, and the value of brand marketing. To purchase professionally produced recordings of the conference, showcasing all panel discussions from the day for $49.99, click this link here. Reinventing Modern Media Moderator: Brian Strong, Global Head of Communications, Bloomberg Media Panelists: Samantha Barry, Editor-in-Chief, Glamour; Amanda Smith, President, Fairchild Media; Willa Bennett, Editor-in-Chief, Highsnobiety and Simone Oliver, Strategic Advisor & Editor at Large 'Reinventing Modern Media' panel featured industry leaders discussing the dynamic nature of media today. Samantha Barry, Glamour's Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the universality of good content, noting, “Sometimes, as a brand, we can go down a rabbit hole of ‘this is a Gen Z thing,’ or ‘this is only for millennial women,’ etc. Oftentimes, good content will reach them all, regardless of generation.” Amanda Smith, President of Fairchild Media, highlighted the importance of brand clarity, stating, “I think we're all being rewarded for having total clarity on who we are and what defines our brand IP. The more we can articulate that in the marketplace, the better off we’ll be.” Willa Bennett, Highsnobiety's Editor-in-Chief, emphasized the value of long-term content investment, saying, “If you invest long term, the traffic will come.” Simone Oliver, Strategic Advisor & Editor at Large, discussed the shift in content engagement and distribution, noting, “Engagement has been the clear winner in terms of how people engage with your content and what you're producing. You want people to see what you make, you want the message to get out there, but distribution has changed.” She also highlighted the evolving nature of content discovery, adding, “Discovery has a different face now.” The Future of Events & Experiences Moderator: Jed Weinstein, Founder & CEO, Rise & Set Panelists: Bronson Van Wyck, Founder, Workshop and DIO; Rachel Racusen, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Snap Inc. and Allison Barrie Rand, Head of Experiential Marketing & Talent Partnerships, Walmart The 'Future of Events & Experiences' panel explored immersive experiences and media's evolving landscape. Bronson Van Wyck, Founder of Workshop and DIO, emphasized holistic experiences, stating, “You want to give someone an opportunity to return to the womb where every aspect of their needs, physical and emotional, are being taken care of.” Rachel Racusen, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Snap Inc., highlighted quality over quantity in media, noting, “If you have an amazing New York Times story that is meant to reach a certain audience and that's the only story you get on something, that could provide a lot more value than twenty stories.” Allison Barrie Rand, Head of Experiential Marketing & Talent Partnerships at Walmart, discussed the intangible nature of creating memories, noting, “We are fundamentally in the business of making memories. And that's hard to measure.” Rand also emphasized using technology to foster community and connection, stating, “Tech needs to be leveraged as a tool to help further enable community, to help further enable connection.” She cautioned against expecting every experience to achieve all objectives, stating, “When we expect every single experience that we do to boil the ocean of objectives, that's not going to get us so far.” What's Next in Influencer Marketing? Moderator: Faye Halligan, Director of Talent Relations, Trend Companies Panelists: Ted Raad, Founder & CEO, Trend Companies; Anna Kai, Content Creator, @itsmaybeboth; Nena Evans, Content Creator, @nenaevans and Emily Fauver, Content Creator, @emily.fauver The 'What's Next in Influencer Marketing?' panel delved into the evolving influencer landscape. Ted Raad, Founder & CEO of Trend Companies, stressed the importance of creators remaining authentic to their audience, noting, “The most important thing... is that they are saying who they are to their audience, and the audience will matter more than any campaign.” He also highlighted creators' influence on both their audience and fellow creators. Emily Fauver, Content Creator, mentioned the continuous innovation in content creation on established platforms, saying, “The fact that we're still coming up with new ways to create content on platforms that have been around for a while, I think it’s just getting started.” Anna Kai, Content Creator, expressed confidence in the enduring nature of social media platforms, stating, “Social media is gonna be around forever whether it's TikTok or MikMok, so we'll figure it out.” Nena Evans, Content Creator, discussed the uncertainty of future content sharing platforms, stating, “At the end of the day, the value that we're creating, it has to be shared somewhere. It might not be TikTok, it might not be Instagram, it might be an unknown. We really don't know.” She emphasized the current importance of relatability and authenticity in connecting creators with their audiences. AI’s Effect on Marcomms Moderated by Samyutha Reddy, Head of Corporate Marketing, Jasper AI Panelists: Paul Miser, EVP, Group Director, HOW (a 5W Agency); Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO, PRophet and CEO, Stagwell Marketing Cloud, Comms Tech Unit and Alexia Adana, VP, Director of Creative Technology, Edelman The panel on "AI’s Effect on Marcomms" delved into how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing and communications strategies. Paul Miser, EVP, Group Director at HOW, highlighted that AI complements human roles, enabling faster validation of insights and ideation. He emphasized, “[AI] is not going to replace your role, but it allows you to validate insights faster, it allows you to ideate faster, it gives you analytical models that are faster.” Miser also stressed the importance for agencies to understand AI's role in enhancing relationships and expediting validation processes. Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of PRophet, urged professionals to embrace a mindset of becoming communications engineers. He discussed the significance of predictive AI, stating, “Anytime people talk about AI, they think about generative. But predictive AI will be most potent, consequential and revolutionary for comms pros." Alexia Adana, VP, Director of Creative Technology at Edelman, emphasized the need to become proficient with AI tools, stating, “On an individual level, it's getting comfortable with having a back and forth with AI tools in a way that's going to help you approach problems and your goals in a far more efficient way than if you were just solely relying on your individual brain.” Elevating Affiliate Marketing Strategies Moderator: Jeremiah Corley, Affiliate Director, Dreamday Panelists: Teresa Grammatke, Senior Director, eAccountable; Taylor Kendrick, Senior Manager, Channel Partnerships, impact.com; Jacqueline Goldstein, Vice President, Commerce, NY Post and Leilani Han, Executive Director, Commerce, The New York Times Wirecutter The "Elevating Affiliate Marketing Strategies" panel offered dynamic insights to supercharge affiliate approaches. Teresa Grammatke of eAccountable highlighted a shifting audience perspective, noting, “The audience has changed and people assume that you're getting the money now. So it's not as big of a deal for the audience to know that they're earning off of it.” Taylor Kendrick from impact.com emphasized the critical need for proactive affiliate engagement, stating, “You have to be diligent with following up with all these affiliates, just make sure you continue and continue to reach out to them.” Jacqueline Goldstein of NY Post discussed the pivotal role of offering competitive benefits to affiliates, like free fast shipping. Leilani Han of The New York Times Wirecutter emphasized the strategic importance of commerce content publishers, stating, “For the performance PR professionals, commerce content publishers don't just represent a number in the tally of coverage you garner, now we are also adding value to your clients’ bottom line.” Han also stressed the vital nature of nurturing affiliate partnerships, noting, “An affiliate link isn't a spigot of revenue where you just put up an affiliate link and turn it on. It's a constant feedback loop, it’s important to be constantly nurturing the partnerships.” Is 2024 the Year of Brand Marketing? Moderator: Celia Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, FINN Partners Panelists: Ana Andjelic, Chief Brand Officer, Ex Esprit, Banana Republic; Colin Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard; Samina Virk, North America CEO, Vestiaire Collective and Crystal Vinisse, Vice President - Global Brand Leader, Lifestyle & Luxury Brands, Hyatt Hotels Corporation The highly anticipated panel, 'Is 2024 the Year of Brand Marketing?' delved into the evolving landscape of brand marketing, with experts providing insights into the strategies and approaches that will define the year ahead. Ana Andjelic, Chief Brand Officer at Ex Esprit and Banana Republic, characterized brand marketing as a strategy of cultural influence, advocating for continuous engagement with culture and creativity. Samina Virk, North America CEO at Vestiaire Collective, preferred the term "brand growth," emphasizing the interconnectedness of brand marketing with overall business growth. She stressed the importance of understanding the customer to create authentic brand moments, stating, “Focus on who your customer or your client is. Because I think that will help answer which moments you speak about and marry that with what is authentic.” Crystal Vinisse, Vice President - Global Brand Leader at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, underscored the experience-driven nature of today's economy, noting that brands must deliver on their promises to maintain customer trust. She remarked, “We are still very much in an experience-driven economy. So that means, while I might have an emotional connection to your brand, there's less forgiveness and grace if I have an experience that isn't what you marketed to me.” Colin Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer at Pernod Ricard, emphasized the importance of authenticity in brand messaging, stating, “You have to be authentic. That's the key thing for me – and you have to stay true to that.” The Future Focus Conference provided attendees with invaluable insights about the latest trends and future predictions for the marketing communications industry. The networking breaks throughout the day were embraced by the audience, which included representatives from brands like Sephora, Bumble, Fritz Hansen, Hilton Hotels, Brunello Cucinelli, Turkish Airlines, Match Group, Pernod Ricard, J. Crew, Leading Hotels of the World and Campari Group, and agency leaders from M&C Saatchi, Weber Shandwick, BPCM, Magrino, H&S, Finn Partners, 5W, Derris, Quinn, Day One Agency, KWT Global, Karla Otto and LaForce. The summit culminated with guests gathering in SECOND’s bar area for the cocktail hour, enjoying cocktails by Redemption Whiskey, Gray Whale Gin, Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila, and Josh Cellars Wines. Photos: Link HERE (credit: Adele Makulova) ABOUT THE PR NET: The PR Net is the premier global network for marketing and communications professionals. It is a modern take on the classic networking club and an "industry insider favorite” for executives looking for a central platform for industry intelligence and connections. Founded by industry veteran Lisa Smith in 2015, The PR Net consists of online content that reads like a magazine, member-only services, and highly sought-after digital and in-person member events. Contact Details The PR Net Sara Sturges +1 646-934-4631 ssturges@theprnet.com Company Website https://theprnet.com/

April 25, 2024 11:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Locality Appoints Jeremy Fass as VP of Addressable & Programmatic Advertising

Locality

Locality, the industry’s preeminent local video solutions provider, today announces the appointment of Jeremy Fass as the company’s VP of Addressable & Programmatic Advertising. In this newly minted role, Fass will focus on leveraging technology, data, and Locality’s direct access to the industry’s highest quality CTV inventory to help marketers address qualified local audiences at scale through expanded programmatic channels. Moreover, Fass will play a critical role in helping publishers connect to premium demand outside their core national advertising sales focus. Fass brings more than 15 years of experience in building audience-based marketplaces, solutions, and businesses for sell-side platforms and media companies alike to his new role. He will report directly to Steven DeMain, EVP of Sales at Locality. Fass joins Locality from The Arena Group, where he was Senior Vice President, Head of Digital Advertising Revenue and led digital ad revenue and sales, account management, programmatic partnerships, and yield strategy. Prior to The Arena Group, Fass held extended leadership positions at publishing businesses such as Head of Programmatic Revenue and Addressable Advertising at New York Media, and Executive Director of enterprise partnerships at Condé Nast. He spent the initial chapters of his career developing supply side businesses at industry leaders such as Meta and PubMatic, in the early days of exchange-based ad-monetization and consulted media owners on tools and platforms that enabled maximum distribution and monetization of their media assets. “Jeremy’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for Locality,” said Steven DeMain. “His extensive experience in the digital advertising industry brings value to Locality as it continues to solidify itself in the industry as a trusted source to help marketers and publishers expand their local reach through premium inventory.” “I’m thrilled to join Locality on its journey to unlocking the full potential of local TV advertising,” said Fass. “Locality is committed to being a trusted partner for advertisers, marketers, and publishers, and I’m incredibly excited to share my industry expertise with this team to guide clients to efficiently, and strategically, reach audiences in premium environments.” About Locality Locality is the industry’s preeminent local video solutions provider, committed to addressing the evolving needs of advertisers by unlocking the power of local and driving dollars to the local video marketplace. Locality brings together the best talent in both broadcast and streaming helping brands tap into the mindset of the local consumer and precisely reach optimal markets, nationally. Having served more than 1,500 ad agencies and 4,500 advertisers, to date, Locality offers the best premium inventory that the industry has to offer to help brands optimize their spend and target audiences at scale. Our team resides in 11 locations across the U.S. designed to strategically service 100% of DMAs. For more information, please visit www.locality.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Locality +1 973-722-7881 julia@kitehillpr.com

April 25, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Adobe's New Acrobat AI Assistant

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group, Inc. Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

April 18, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Comtex Launches Omnia: A Cutting-Edge News API Platform leveraging NLP and AI

Comtex

Comtex News Network, Inc (Comtex), a leading provider of news aggregation and distribution services to top firms in financial services, news publishing, syndication, and analytics, proudly announces the launch of its innovative API platform, Omnia. Omnia is a state-of-the-art API platform designed to revolutionize the way businesses access and utilize news content. Omnia empowers users with instant access to real-time streaming news, AI-generated article summaries, enhanced tagging and categorization based on NLP, advanced filtering, and access to an extensive catalog of curated news sources. Key Features of Omnia Include: Real-time Streaming News: Omnia provides real-time streaming news via websockets push and REST API for seamless integration into existing systems. Enhanced Tagging and Categorization: Leveraging AI and proprietary NLP-based algorithms, Omnia offers enhanced tagging and categorization of content, including press releases, earnings releases, product categories, and more. AI-Generated Article Summaries: Omnia utilizes AI to generate concise and searchable article summaries, enabling users to quickly grasp an article before reading it. Advanced Filtering: Omnia's advanced filtering capabilities allow users to customize their news feeds based on specific criteria, ensuring they receive only the most relevant content. Access to an extensive collection of curated, high-quality sources used by top companies in financial services, analytics, research and a broad range of industries. Omnia is designed for rapid integration and serves a variety of use cases, including training of LLMs, financial platforms, asset management, trading, academic research, legal research, market research, and much more. Commenting on the launch, Comtex CEO Kan Devnani said, "We are pleased to bring a flexible, state-of-the-art news platform with access to curated, premium news sources to market. Omnia is an extendable platform, combining AI with our rich experience applying NLP to news content. This will allow clients to derive more intelligence and insights from the news content we offer and help clients curate and identify the content most relevant to them. Comtex will use Omnia to deliver evolving analytics and insight to its users." Access to Omnia can be trialed by visiting https://www.comtex.com/api. Comtex encourages users to explore its features and capabilities. To learn more about Omnia and request a demo, please contact sales@comtex.com or visit https://www.comtex.com/api. About Comtex News Network, Inc (Comtex): Comtex News Network Inc (Comtex) is a leading provider of news aggregation services to top firms in financial services, news publishing, syndication, and analytics. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Comtex delivers comprehensive news solutions that empower businesses to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. Comtex also offers syndication services to content providers and platforms to generate traffic to online content. Contact Details Comtex News Network Media Relations sales@comtex.com

April 12, 2024 02:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Select Sector SPDR ETFs: A Strategic Approach to Precision Investing and Customized Portfolios

Select Sector SPDR

In the dynamic world of investing, Exchange-Traded Funds ( ETFs ) have proved to be a powerful tool for investors seeking diversification, flexibility, and potentially a more sector-driven approach. Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer a focused approach to sector investing, enabling investors to specifically target sectors within the broader market. This method of investment strategy is designed to arm investors with greater control and flexibility over their portfolios. Select Sector SPDR ETFs segment the S&P 500 into 11 investable sectors, covering all broad market segments. They provide access to various industries, allowing investors to craft a diversified portfolio that aligns with their unique investment goals. This approach presents an excellent opportunity for both individual and institutional investors to effectively navigate the financial markets. Each ETF comprises well-known, large-cap companies from the S&P 500, ensuring broad exposure and diversification. The transparent nature of ETFs allows for daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings, providing investors with visibility into their investments. The full lineup of Select Sector SPDR ETFs includes: Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) These ETFs provide flexible, transparent, and low-cost investment options to both retail and institutional investors. The flexibility offered by these ETFs empowers investors to make strategic adjustments in their portfolios as market conditions change. This flexibility, combined with the transparency of daily disclosure of portfolio holdings, allows investors to always be aware of where their money is invested. Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer a unique opportunity to invest in various sectors with precision and flexibility. They provide a simplified approach to sector investing, allowing investors to customize their portfolios to meet their specific investment objectives. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of research and should not be taken as investment or financial advice. Therefore, Select Sector SPDRs or the publisher is not liable for any decision made based on the publication. About the Company: Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer flexibility and customization opportunities. Many investors have similar outlooks, but no two are exactly alike. Select Sector SPDR ETFs let investors select the sectors that best meet their investment goals. DISCLOSURES The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The index is heavily weighted toward stocks with large market capitalizations and represents approximately two-thirds of the total market value of all domestic common stocks. The S&P 500 Index figures do not reflect any fees, expenses or taxes. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses before investing. One may not invest directly in an index. Transparent ETFs provide daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings All ETFs are subject to risk, including loss of principal. Sector ETF products are also subject to sector risk and nondiversification risk, which generally will result in greater price fluctuations than the overall market. Diversification does not eliminate risk. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 1-866-SECTOR-ETF (732-8673) or visit www.sectorspdrs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. Media Contact: Company: Select Sector SPDRs Contact: Dan Dolan* Address: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203 Country: United States Email: dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Website: https://www.sectorspdrs.com/ *Dan Dolan is a Registered Representative of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is the distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. SEL007439 EXP 5/31/24 Contact Details Dan Dolan +1 203-935-8103 dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Company Website https://www.sectorspdrs.com/

April 12, 2024 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

National Comcast RISE Program Set to Give 100 Southeast Texas Small Businesses Grants, Tech-Makeovers, Marketing Support and More

Comcast Texas

Today, Comcast announced Houston would be one of five cities from which eligible small businesses can apply to its nationally recognized Comcast RISE program for the opportunity to receive business support grants. The program will provide a total of $500,000 in grants plus technology make-overs, marketing support, media schedules, coaching sessions and education support. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to building strong and thriving local communities,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast. “Comcast RISE is proud to help strengthen and empower these businesses and entrepreneurs to expand and grow.” Beginning on May 1 through May 31, eligible businesses in Houston; Atlanta, GA; Southern Colorado; Jacksonville, FL and Richmond, VA can apply for a chance to receive a grant package at www.ComcastRISE.com. One hundred businesses per city, 500 in total, will be awarded business support grants that will include: COACHING SESSIONS - General business assessment and coaching that provides business owners with recommendations on how to grow their businesses. EDUCATION RESOURCES - 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small business owners. MONETARY GRANT - $5,000 monetary grant. CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA - Turnkey production of a 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and 180-day media placement schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.) COMCAST BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER - Computer equipment, Internet, voice and cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.) Past Houston area Comcast RISE recipients include Mala Sichuan Bistro, LAMIK Beauty and 132 Design. “Comcast RISE came in with support at the perfect time. We didn't just expand our office and reach; we were instantly plugged into a community of support,” said Ashley Gomez, co-founder of 132 Design. “Being part of the Comcast RISE family truly opened the floodgates to new opportunities. Now we are helping to lift other businesses here in the city we love.” Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity through programs and partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. Now in its fourth year, Comcast RISE has nationally awarded 13,500 small businesses over $125 million in monetary, marketing, and technology grants. More information and the applications to apply are available at www.ComcastRISE.com About Comcast Corporation: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Comcast Business: Comcast Business offers a broad suite of technology solutions to keep businesses of all sizes ready for what’s next. With a range of offerings including connectivity, secure networking, advanced cybersecurity, and unified communications solutions, Comcast Business is partnering with business and technology leaders across industries and integrating Masergy, a leader in software defined networking, to help drive businesses forward. Backed by a next-generation network, Comcast Business has been recognized for its growth, innovation, and leadership in global secure networking. For more information, call 800-501-6000. Follow on X @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. Contact Details Comcast Texas ilona Carson +1 346-624-2074 Ilona_Carson@Comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

April 09, 2024 07:02 AM Central Daylight Time

News Release

Shareholder Group and Gender Ideology Opponent to Press Disney on Discrimination at Company’s Annual Meeting

NLPC

National Legal and Policy Center, an investor in The Walt Disney Company, and healthcare accountability group Do No Harm, will present a shareholder proposal at the iconic media and entertainment corporation’s annual meeting on April 3. The measure asks the company to investigate its discriminatory pay and benefits policies – specifically addressing where employees affected by gender-switching advocacy have been psychologically or medically harmed, without providing remedial care – and reporting to shareholders why such compensation gaps exist at an allegedly tolerant company. Speaking at the Disney meeting in support of the proposal will be Chloe Cole, patient advocate for Do No Harm, who has testified before legislative bodies nationwide in opposition to gender ideology and its destructive health consequences. Ms. Cole will address the company’s board of directors, including beleaguered CEO Robert Iger, and tell her story about her difficulties in finding medical care and insurance coverage in her efforts to “de-transition,” after trying earlier in her life to switch from the biological sex she was born with. Ahead of the Disney meeting, NLPC released a one-minute video to highlight the shareholder proposal. The corporate and government watchdog also filed a white paper with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month to more fully explain the necessity for the company to investigate its discriminatory policies. “Disney has been so proud about its 100-percent score on the Corporate Equality Index, designed by the pro-LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Campaign, which requires companies to cover sex change treatments in their health insurance offerings,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Now we call upon Mr. Iger to lead the way for Corporate America to provide equal care for those who have suffered physical harm as a result, and who want bodily restoration. Besides the damage they have suffered, they are also discriminated against.” As NLPC points out in its shareholder proposal, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission considers failure to provide equivalent pay and benefits based on categories including “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” as discriminatory. Even the Securities and Exchange Commission agreed with NLPC that de-transitioning individuals fit under such classifications when considering unfairness in corporate compensation practices. In its opposition statement (p. 104 at link) to the proposal, Disney alleges that NLPC is just trying to “generate attention” with a “narrow focus…to advance a limited agenda.” “Disney acts as if people like me don’t exist,” said Chloe Cole. “I intend to make sure the board and Mr. Iger hear that the company’s irrational gender ideology policies are actually destructive, and that I am a victim of policies like it. De-transitioners like me are not going away. With the numbers of LGBTQIA+ workers at the company who have sought ill-advised sex changes, you can bet that litigation over deception, and discriminatory benefits policies, won’t be far behind.” You can read NLPC’s shareholder proposal at its website. Learn more about Do No Harm at its website. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

April 01, 2024 01:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time