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State of Texas Selects Comcast Business to Offer High-Speed Networking Solutions Throughout the State

Comcast Houston

The State of Texas’ Department of Information Resources (DIR) has selected Comcast Business as one of its providers in delivering high-capacity, fiber and broadband services to state agencies and public sector entities throughout the state. This new agreement provides agencies an additional set of diverse network solutions statewide. “We understand how critical it is for Texas’ agencies and educational institutions to stay up-to-date on, and connected to, some of the latest network solutions, particularly as reliance on them has increased exponentially in recent years,” said David Cross, Vice President of Public Sector Sales for Comcast Business. “We are proud to be able to offer a convenient and quick path to network connectivity for the State of Texas. We look forward to future partnerships, and to building the future of Texas’ network.” About Comcast Business: Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Comcast Business offers an expansive portfolio of services through the TEX-AN Program, including offerings such as Metro Ethernet, Dedicated Internet Access, SDN, software-defined wide-area-network (SD-WAN), network function virtualization, and network virtualization. Comcast Business has also been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services. Contact Details Comcast Houston Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 foti_kallergis@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

April 27, 2022 02:22 PM Central Daylight Time

Kivvit Named a Finalist for PRovoke Media’s North America Digital Agency of the Year

Kivvit

Kivvit has been chosen as a finalist for North America Digital Agency of the Year as part of PRovoke Media’s annual Agencies of the Year review – an exhaustive research process involving more than 150 submissions and 50 meetings with agencies across the U.S. and Canada. In announcing the recognition, PRovoke praised Kivvit for “bringing the tenacity—and results-orientation—of political campaigns” into its work with partners across sectors and for its “outstanding digital operations—including an investment in proprietary data and analytics that powers its campaigns and enables it to demonstrate real business impact.” PRovoke unveiled its 2022 agencies of the year and awards short list ahead of its SABRE North America gala, which will be held in New York City on May 4 th. Kivvit has been among PRovoke’s North American agencies of the year for the past 5 years and previously won Digital Agency of the Year in 2020. In the lead up to SABRE, PRovoke has also named Kivvit partner Anheuser-Busch the Diamond SABRE award winner for Company of the Year, pointing to the company’s innovative data-driven corporate reputation campaign, which Kivvit is proud to support. This prestigious award recognizes an organization that has embraced public relations as a key management discipline and can demonstrate that public relations has made a significant contribution over the course of the year to its overall performance. Additionally, Kivvit’s industry-leading work earned finalist recognition in several other SABRE award categories, including: The Diamond SABRE Award for Superior Achievement in Research and Planning, which recognizes public relations campaigns that draw on original research and modern data and analytics to develop critical insights into the client and its audience, and use formal planning techniques to devise the most appropriate strategic approach to address a challenge or seize and opportunity; The Diamond SABRE Award for Superior Achievement in Measurement and Evaluation, which recognizes campaigns focused on specific metrics to achieve a meaningful and measurable contribution to an organization’s bottom-line results; Educational & Cultural Institutions, which recognizes leading work on behalf of schools, universities, museums, and art galleries; and Issues Management, which recognizes advocacy campaigns that effectively shape attitudes and outcomes related to public policy. You can find the full list of this year’s finalists here. DIGITAL AGENCY OF THE YEAR PROFILE Below is an excerpt from PRovoke’s profile of Kivvit as an Agency of the Year finalist: Backstory Kivvit was created in October of 2015 through the merger of ASGK Public Strategies and M Public Affairs, with the goal of bringing the tenacity—and results-orientation—of political campaigns into corporate and nonprofit sectors to corporate clients. It is best known for public affairs and issues management work, as well as for its outstanding digital operations—including an investment in proprietary data and analytics that powers its campaigns and enables it to demonstrate real business impact. Locations Kivvit has operations across the United States, with offices in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. Performance Kivvit reported a very respectable 13% increase in revenues in 2021, ending the year just a little short of the $40 million mark and consolidating its position as one of the largest independent public affairs firms in the US. Driving the growth was the doubling of the firm’s advertising and research and insights revenue. Kivvit continued its work for blue-chip brands like Abbott, Anheuser-Busch, Google, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Tesla, The Nature Conservancy and the University of Chicago, while adding new assignments from the American Library Association, the Asian American Federation, the National Brain Tumor Society, and Similarweb. People & Culture Kivvit expanded its management team and increased the diversity of its leadership corps in 2021, most notably with the addition of four new managing directors: Arielle Goren, an executive and crisis communications expert who previously headed her own firm; Aaron Mays, who also led his own business; Terri Sanders, who joined from HIMSS, where she was chief marketing and communications officer; and Jalisa Washington-Price, a veteran of iHeartMedia and the Biden presidential campaign. The firm also doubled the size of its digital and insights teams. And the firm partnered with consultant Ivy Planning Group and talent firm Offor to ensure that it remained on the leading edge in terms of inclusion. Thought Leadership & Work Kivvit’s best work is driven by insights derived from data—an area in which it excels. This includes a Covid-19 vaccination effort for New Jersey’s Department of Health that included a survey examining all the reasons for vaccine hesitancy and then produced highly targeted messaging that helped the state achieve one of the highest vaccination levels in the country. On the corporate front, meanwhile, Kivvit helped Anheuser-Bush rethink its reputation strategy, focusing on its major economic investments, game-changing commitments to sustainability, and product innovation to maximize favorable opinions. But Kivvit also works on big issues, expanding harm reduction services in New Jersey and securing investment in New York’s disabilities sector. And the firm’s interest in the most critical progressive issues of the day also extends to its own thought leadership, highlighted by research into corporate support for Black Lives Matter. - Paul Holmes About Kivvit Kivvit is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent strategic communications and public affairs firms in the United States, with over 130 professionals across six offices in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Kivvit has earned over 60 awards and recognitions in the past 5 years, including Public Affairs of the Year (Reed Awards), Digital Agency of the Year (PRovoke SABRE North America), Most Innovative Agency (Bulldog Stars of PR Awards), and a Best Agency to Work For (PRovoke). Kivvit also leads O'Dwyer's national rankings of independent communications firms across multiple categories, including #1 for Real Estate Finance & Development, #2 for Energy and Non-Profit, #4 for Purpose and Corporate Social Responsibility. To learn more and see what we do, visit www.Kivvit.com and follow us @TeamKivvit. Contact Details Zach Silber +1 212-929-0669 zsilber@kivvit.com Company Website https://www.kivvit.com/

April 27, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Aiding and Abetting Sandwich Trades, Front Running and MEV is anti-ESG

Telos Foundation

With ESG in the forefront, where is the social responsibility in networks that not only pollute our environment, but also aid and abet the ongoing theft that’s soon to surpass a billion dollars? Maybe it is not yet fully understood by the masses, but front running / MEV is quite literally organized theft, and it is running rampant on almost every blockchain network. Crypto enthusiasts need to understand that trader / miner bots are predatorily stealing money from DeFi and NFT traders daily. This theft is no different than your personal stockbroker using the knowledge of your pending trades only to further themselves and at your expense. These practices are not only unethical, but they are also illegal in any other modern day exchange environment. So why the blind eye and why the free pass? The same goes with the glutinous energy consumption. Why would any responsible entity or individual continue to support these super low standards? There is a massive lack of social responsibility. Especially considering that these networks are all easily replaceable by far superior technologies. Metaphorically, why does the world continue to nurture the coal fired engine and bank robbers when socially responsible zero-point energy exists? These are some of the questions that the Telos team is working through and effectively delivering on with its ESG compliant tEVM. The world’s fastest carbon neutral EVM! Telos Blockchain continues to work on solidifying its path in becoming the benchmark standard for credible neutrality and ESG compliance in crypto. For those new to ESG, the acronym stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. It’s a criterion which is popular in the world of business and investing. It defines three broad categories of interest for what is termed socially responsible for investors. “E” - As part of this ESG commitment, Telos recently became the first and only carbon neutral ( Net Zero ) EVM. This newest accomplishment makes the Telos EVM the most environmentally (the “E” in ESG) conscious Ethereum Virtual Machine. “S” - Telos’ socially (the “S” in ESG) responsible Ethereum Virtual Machine is the only EVM that puts an end to the front running theft that is unethically targeting hundreds of millions of DeFi traders. “G” - DeFi on Telos is 100% free of Sandwich trades, Front Running and MEV (miner extracted value) because of its fair governance (the “G” in ESG). Telos insulates all trades with a first in first out governed protocol. Therefore, there is never any reordering of the mempool, making it impossible to game the system. From a socially diversified work team gracefully working together from all corners of the globe to decarbonization and biochar to the fairest smart contract powered governance system, Telos as a Layer 1 is pushing the ESG envelope to new standards in crypto. The tEVM’s ecosystem is closing on 6 months of strategic growth since its launch. On the DeFi side, it has already launched multiple Dex/AMMs, Price Oracles, Farming dApps, multi-Chain bridges, Lending dApps and everything else that a vibrant DeFi ecosystem requires to level up its TVL and end user occupancy. Telos’ TVL is currently where the top marketcap chains were not too long ago, but with far superior governance, no front running, credible neutrality, true decentralization, and an ESG compliant EVM that is several multiples faster. In utopian fashion, Telos’ ecosystem is now ready to scale its occupants and its TVL simultaneously. About Telos Live since 2018, Telos Blockchain (ticker: TLOS) is a third-generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper and Native C++ smart contracts. Telos provides full EVM/Solidity support with fixed low-cost gas fees and no front running. Uniquely, Telos also offers a path to fee-less transactions via its robust native C++ smart contract support. Even while operating as a Net Zero Blockchain, the chain still sustainably support hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals (on a first-in-first-out basis, eliminating front running on the network) and securely validates transactions via a credibly neutral and globally decentralized block producer network. The Telos Blockchain has the throughput needed to facilitate and scale the thriving Metaverse / Web 3.0 better than any other blockchain. Its performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, credible decentralization, and end-user fairness. Telos, harnesses its power by utilizing tight C++ on the frontend and a custom WASM runtime environment on the backend. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

April 27, 2022 10:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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CSG's Ken Kennedy Elevates the Telecom Industry with Visionary Influence, Leading to 2022 Cablefax Top Power Player Honor

CSG

DENVER, Apr. 27, 2022 – CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that its COO and President of Revenue Management and Digital Monetization, Ken Kennedy, has been selected as a Cablefax 100 Top Power Player. This achievement highlights Kennedy’s unwavering commitment and leadership in guiding the industry through tidal waves of change. It also recognizes his role in ushering in an era of unprecedented growth and opportunity for CSG. The company reached $1 billion in revenue last year with ambitious plans to double the growth of company by 2025. "The cable and broadband industry is in an exciting era of transformation and growth as operators embrace agile new technologies to excite their consumer and enterprise customers," said Kennedy. "With our customer-obsessed mindset, game-changing SaaS technologies, and four decades of expertise, CSG enables operators to differentiate themselves through digital offerings that deliver seamless commerce and drive winning customer experiences. It’s an honor to help shape our customers’ success and contribute to the elevation of our industry. I’m humbled to be included in the 2022 Cablefax 100 Top Power Player List." Cablefax’s prestigious award celebrates the most influential executives whose leadership advances and elevates the industry. As the president of revenue management and digital monetization, CSG’s largest business unit, Kennedy led the charge for a series of strategic acquisitions. These have enabled CSG customers to enhance the monetization of B2B2X business models and quickly deliver dynamic content ecosystems that boost customer acquisition, loyalty, and satisfaction. His visionary strategy culminated with the launch of CSG Encompass, an open, integrated, and modular SaaS commerce solution designed to reduce the complexities of multi-sided B2B2X ecosystems and help CSPs deliver value-adding services while monetizing their vision. “CSG has been driving innovation in the telecommunications industry for 40 years, and leaders like Ken Kennedy exemplify the world-class ingenuity and inspiration it takes to create disruptive change,” said Brian Shepherd, CSG president and CEO. “Ken’s commitment to our customers’ success combined with his vision and expertise are foundational for CSG to realize our growth ambitions and succeed in creating a better, more future-ready world. Congratulations Ken and all the other honorees on this well-deserved honor.” # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Kristine Østergaard Public Relations +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Kristine Østergaard +44 7920 477204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

April 27, 2022 08:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

trumiiNFT Signs Star Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel

trumii

trumii, the NFT collection that celebrates diversity in Web3, announced they have partnered with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. As part of the partnership, Samuel will be a stakeholder in trumii, participate in trumii events, and help the trumii mission. There will be a special Deebo trumii created as part of this collaboration. Samuel will also be an ambassador for trumii, a collection of 10,101 unique NFTs embracing self-expression in Web3 and real life. “As the metaverse grows and NFTs become more mainstream, we need communities to be socially responsible and represent all backgrounds, races, genders, and experiences – and that’s trumii,” said Samuel. “trumii believes in staying true to yourself. That is a message I can get behind and a mission I want to support.” Founded by female leaders, trumiiNFTs will be launching soon. Final details, including mint price, will be announced on their Discord and Twitter account. “We’re building a community of people who share our vision of inclusiveness in Web3, and we’re thrilled to have Deebo join us,” said trumii Co-Founder Anjali Bhugra. “Deebo is committed to helping trumii make a lasting impact in Web3 for the next generation.” Anjali cofounded trumii with her longtime friend and fellow Web3 entrepreneur Girija Sundaram. Hailing from Silicon Valley, Anjali and Girija have a background in technology and finance and bonded over helping their teenage daughters navigate the social challenges of Web2. Their goal for trumii is to create an environment that does not repeat the pitfalls of social media. They believe Web3 is an opportunity to address the unintended harm caused by Web2 and the toll that social media has taken on the mental health of young adults. NFT stands for “non-fungible token” which are unique digital items stored and encrypted on the blockchain that people can buy, own, and trade. NFTs can act as membership cards where holders get exclusive access to events, communities, and merchandise. About trumii trumii is a collection of 10,101 unique NFTs embracing self-expression and acceptance of self in Web3 and In Real Life (IRL). trumiiNFTs are a badge for those living their best lives, authentically and unapologetically themselves. Founded by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anjali Bhurgra and Girija Sundaram, trumii empowers others to discover their authentic voice and enables them to experience Web3 without bias. trumii champions authenticity and challenges conformity. Learn more about trumii at https://www.trumii.io/ or follow them on Twitter and Instagram. # # # Contact Details Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://www.trumii.io/

April 27, 2022 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

XPOINT CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH ADDITIONAL KEY HIRES IN COMPLIANCE, MARKETING, PRODUCT AND SALES

Xpoint Technology

Edward Bedrosian Jr. Announced as Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Tom Webb joins Xpoint as Chief Marketing Officer; Lana Lagow and Raul Bouchot Appointed Sr. Business Development Managers; Alli Rubin Moves from FanDuel To Join Xpoint as Product Manager Xpoint, the leading geolocation and compliance technology company specializing in U.S. sports betting and iGaming markets, has announced five new key hires to senior roles in compliance, marketing, product and sales, strengthening the company’s presence globally, and in particular in the USA where all five new additions are based. Edward Bedrosian Jr. becomes Xpoint’s Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer, bringing experience which includes four years as Executive Director for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and as a Partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Tom Webb joins Bedrosian Jr. on Xpoint’s executive leadership team as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), bringing over 25 years of experience in global marketing and communications from the sports betting and iGaming industry, as well as Formula 1, the Olympic Games, Major League Soccer and Red Bull. Lana Lagow and Raul Bouchot add significant expertise, contacts and North American industry knowledge to Xpoint as Sr. Business Development Managers, reporting to Xpoint Chief Revenue Officer, Matt Robarts. Alli Rubin joins Xpoint as Product Manager, a role she previously held with FanDuel since 2019. “I’m delighted to welcome Ed, Tom, Lana, Raul and Alli to Xpoint and am excited to see the positive impact they are all going to make to our already accelerated growth trajectory,” commented Marvin Sanderson, Xpoint Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “Ed’s experience speaks for itself. A former Executive Director for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and a seasoned attorney, he will lead our compliance and regulation team. Tom is a key hire for us, taking on the opportunity to build the Xpoint brand and bringing decades of experience working with some of the most famous brands worldwide. Lana and Raul are also vital additions to our team, strengthening our base in the USA and bringing over 50 years of combined sales and business development skills to Xpoint. Finally, we’re proud that Alli took up the opportunity to join Xpoint from FanDuel. Her experience and knowledge of how one of the world’s biggest operators works is going to add real value to our team.” Edward Bedrosian Jr. has served as both the head of a gaming regulatory practice at an AM Law 50 law firm, and as Executive Director for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. He has been intimately involved in the expansion of online gaming, advising clients, and working with regulators on issues including rule making, licensing and compliance. As a trusted gaming advisor, Ed has counseled clients including major sports leagues and online gaming operators as they navigated the introduction of online sports wagering in many new U.S. states. Tom Webb is based in Austin, Texas, from where he will lead Xpoint’s global marketing and communications activities. Originally from the UK, Tom has lived and worked in the USA since 2014, and has most recently led marketing and communications activities for a range of sports betting, iGaming, gambling and sports clients with Red Knot, the boutique marketing and communications agency. Prior to Red Knot, Tom has enjoyed roles with Austin FC (Major League Soccer), in Formula 1 (working with teams, sponsors, race promoters and F1 drivers), with Red Bull, Emirates Airline and the Olympic Games. Lana Lagow is a Business Development veteran with over 30 years of experience supporting businesses in a variety of different industries. A native to Grand Prairie, Texas, she attended Grand Prairie High School and also attended Texas State University. Out of college she spent time in banking then switched to employee benefits and life insurance, growing her firm into a multi-million-dollar agent channel while maintaining a 98% client retention rate over 23 years. After selling her firm, she shifted her focus to high-risk payments, which has allowed her to become well-rounded in both acquisition and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment systems. In addition, Lana’s involvement in the high-risk payments industry has yielded many relationships with operators and consultants in the sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), iGaming, and tribal gaming industry. Raul Bouchot joins Lana Lagow as Xpoint Sr. Business Development Manager. A bilingual graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Raul has worked in business development in the sports betting, iGaming and gambling industry in the USA for nearly 30 years. His career began in 1993 with Shuffle Master where he reached the role of VP of International Sales by the time he moved to TCSJOHNHUXLEY Americas in 2001, initially as EVP, then as CEO. Since then, his resumé has included senior leadership roles with IGT, Poker Tec, Nuvei, and now Xpoint. Alli Rubin is Xpoint’s new Product Manager, based in New York. Alli was previously with FanDuel, most recently as Product Manager, Optimization, managing casino and sportsbook product experimentation and optimization. A graduate of Lehigh University, Alli’s post-university career began as a Systems Analyst at Vitech Systems Group, before moving to FanDuel in 2019 as a Business Analyst in FanDuel’s Operational Readiness team. ABOUT XPOINT Xpoint provides essential geolocation security solutions and intelligent marketing insights to the global sports betting and iGaming industries. The innovative platform ensures partners meet their regulatory geo-compliance obligations, and delivers enhanced value to its partners through the generation of data that can drive marketing programs. Founded in 2019, with U.S. offices in Miami, Florida, and led by the company's CEO and Co-Founder Marvin Sanderson - a global sports betting and iGaming industry leader - Xpoint is changing the global geolocation market, bringing innovation to an industry that has, to date, viewed geo-compliance as utility, not a new business opportunity. For more information, visit xpoint.tech and follow LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates. Contact Details Tom Webb +1 512-952-9369 tom.webb@xpoint.tech Company Website https://xpoint.tech/

April 27, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

4 Brits Revealed as UNiDAYS Student Women of the Year 2022

UNiDAYS

Following the launch of UNiDAYS ’ fourth annual ‘Student Women of the Year’ competition last month, UNiDAYS is pleased to announce this year’s winners. After reviewing from women studying at over 220 different universities across the globe, from Tasmania to Texas, the top prize has been granted to Yanti Peng, 21, an undergraduate at University of News South Wales and Creative Director and co-leader of ‘ Uplift ’ - who is awarded a £10,000 grant to further her impact. The runners-up, four of whom are UK based, will be awarded £1,000 each, were: Wadi Ben-Hirki (25, UK) - founder of Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, which focuses on gender equality, quality education and peace building. Wahdi has a masters degree from The University of Sussex in International Education and Development. Gaia Cawley (21, UK) - Psychology and Criminology student at Nottingham Trent University. After being diagnosed with dyslexia, she wanted to change the narrative of this opportunity gap. She launched a self-help YouTube channel called ‘Gaia Rose’, building a community of young people and offering resources, making education accessible to all. Saskia Chelliah (21, UK) - alongside her degree at The Royal Veterinary College London, Saskia is the Vice President of ‘Animal Aspirations’ - a student-led organisation which aims to increase diversity within the veterinary world, encouraging young children from ethnically diverse backgrounds to consider working with animals. Emily Hale (24, UK) - Physio-Therapy student and founder of ‘Build and Breathe Scoliosis’. The company holds free resources for those with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine - both educational, in conversation with surgeons, healthcare practitioners and mental health coaches, alongside practical advice including stretching and self-management. Meg Phillips (23, AUS) - Electronics Engineering student at UTAS, Australia. Whilst breaking gender stereotypes, her aim is to develop a roadkill mitigation device to alleviate roadkill in Tasmania, helping to decrease mortality of Australian species (many of which are endangered/threatened) and also reduce physical and psychological injury to drivers. UNiDAYS shortlisted the six stand-out entries from all the inspiring young leaders who entered. Award-winning environmental activist, CEO and author, Maya Penn, leading British vlogger, Georgia Rankin, and Mariel Richards, CEO at Gal-Dem then decided on the winner and runners-up. Leaning into the International Women’s Day theme of #BreaktheBias, Yanti impressed the judges with her Sydney-based, student-run social enterprise ‘Uplift’ - a multi week upskilling workshop for the disadvantaged. It provides young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with the opportunity to learn and experiment with the creative arts including Adobe Photoshop, fabric sewing, t-shirt design and screen printing. Uplift has worked with youth organisations including ‘Project Youth’ and ‘Oasis’. Rankin states, ‘It has been a privilege working with UNiDAYS on their ‘Student Women of the Year’ campaign - celebrating inspiring female entrepreneurs. All of the finalists were incredible, and it was a very tough decision to choose a favourite from all the strong entries! A HUGE congratulations to Yanti. Keep inspiring and I’m so excited to see what the future holds for you!’. As well as being crowned the Student Women of the Year winner, Yanti will also be a SWOTY ambassador for the next year, working with UNiDAYS to share her progress and inspire others. Pretty Munro, Global Marketing Director, UNiDAYS, says: “This year’s Student Women of the Year competition focused on entrepreneurship and aimed to empower those who have taken risks and made sacrifices to bring about change - overcoming stereotypes and breaking boundaries to create real value - not just economically, but societally, culturally and environmentally. This generation of students is expected to be the most entrepreneurial ever with over 54% of Gen Z wanting to start their own business. Through our competition, we wanted to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and help make their dreams a reality. Yanti, in particular, is a great example of a role model, paving the way for the next generation of young leaders. To date, UNiDAYS has awarded £23,000 to women students to support their dreams and goals, however this year is our biggest prize fund yet. We can’t wait to see what Yanti does with it.” Running from 2 nd – 27 th March 2022, the competition was open to all women students. Centred around the theme of #BreakBoundaries, the campaign focused on individuals who are breaking it down to build it better and succeeding, putting a spotlight on those doing so to inspire others to follow. Each participant posted a short 60-second video, showcasing how they have been breaking boundaries, and outlining their plans for how they would spend the £10,000 grant to further their impact. Entrants were judged based on the content and creativity of the video, how well they explained how and what they are changing/contributing, how candidates will use the £10,000, and to what extent their project is breaking boundaries, and making the world a better place. ENDS For further information on UNiDAYS, visit www.myunidays.com. About UNiDAYS UNiDAYS is the world’s leading Student Affinity Network, with a verified global audience of over 20 million student members across 115 countries. UNiDAYS works with 800 of the world’s biggest brands globally, taking their products and services into the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s professionals, by inspiring Gen Z to discover and connect with the brands and services they need. Its global members have spent more than $5 billion through the UNiDAYS marketplace since 2018. Through its identity technology, secure brand-safe environment and marketing solutions, UNiDAYS delivers reach and engagement for brand partners, maximising sales and building long-term affinity, at scale and speed across a full range of channels. The company has over 200 staff, with headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and with offices in London, New York and Sydney. Contact Details Alan Duncan alan.duncan@myunidays.com Company Website https://www.myunidays.com/PH/en-GB

April 27, 2022 03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN

Maple

Maple, a provider of reliable, remote online access for students, announced the availability of its fully portable and pocket-sized connectivity solutions for closing the digital divide in rural and low-income communities. School leaders throughout the United States can partner with Maple to take advantage of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to give students a safe and reliable home internet connection that promotes online learning and unlocks opportunities. Remote and hybrid learning is here to stay, making technology and at-home internet access essential for students to access academic resources. These basic tools that millions of students need are often unavailable to children in underserved and low-income communities, creating gaps in learning, reducing opportunities to advance, and threatening future goals. According to the Federal Communication Commission, nearly 17 million students lack at-home internet access —many of whom are from minority, low-income, and rural communities. "Education is a human right," stated Michael Kadisha, Chief Executive of Maple. "Equal access to education is, in my view, the defining civil rights issue of our time. Regardless of location or economic status, all students today must have equal access to the internet to succeed.” Maple and its leadership team have a proven history of creating solutions for education and serving students. At the outset of the pandemic, Maple provided Chromebooks and other technologies to support remote learning. They quickly realized that a computer or tablet is of little use without reliable internet access. To solve this, Maple partnered with StratusX to build the Maple Hotspot, a cellular, cloud-managed personal WiFi solution that connects students and educators to their digital classrooms from anywhere. Maple hotspots eliminate the frustration associated with slow or 'spotty' service. When students in areas with limited mobile service utilize the Maple hotspot, they can reliably access the internet whenever and wherever they want. "We are proud to partner with StratusX in this critical endeavor," Kadisha said. “Their unique patented technology prevents service disruptions as devices switch seamlessly between mobile carrier networks to capture the optimal signal at all times. This benefit is critical as it gives high-speed connectivity while avoiding downtime for students from any carrier facing weather disruptions, technical issues, or even poor reception in the students' location." "With Maple's insights, experience, and guidance in the education sector, our team designed many specific features, including cloud-managed CIPA compliance to ensure safe access to content authorized by schools," explained Raviv Laor, StratusX's CEO. "With Maple, connecting online is always available, safe, and compliant." While several other hotspot providers exist, Maple's school-centric solution uniquely addresses the needs of educators, students, and school leadership. "This turnkey connectivity solution meets the specific demands of the education sector: schools have customized features to implement certain web surfing restrictions and verification options that ensure students have safe experiences online. Most importantly, the device's proprietary SIM management technology allows schools to connect, manage, configure and operate their fleets 100% remotely," said Laor. "It is a win-win situation. Schools save time and students learn with the technology they need," Kadisha continued. "We are proud of our role in eliminating these easily addressable inequities that arise from a lack of online access and improving learning outcomes for all students." Schools may use the funds they secure through the ECF program to procure Maple hotspots. A new application window opens on April 28 and runs through May 13, where schools may request 100% funding for student connectivity needs. Maple also provides schools with white-glove service, with end-to-end assistance from government funding applications to hardware setup and device deployment. “We know that the Homework Gap is a financial and emotional burden for students," Kadisha said. "We can and will do better." About Maple Maple provides trusted technology solutions for schools, students, and libraries that bridge the digital divide by delivering high-quality internet access that unlocks valuable educational experiences for students. Please visit https://www.mapleconnect.co/. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with a Maple spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at daniel.rene@kglobal.com or 202-329-8357 Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.mapleconnect.co/

April 26, 2022 12:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Au Bon Pain Celebrates First-Ever “Sandwich Madness” Contest

Au Bon Pain

How do you fill the innovation pipeline in a supply chain-challenged world? Engage your employees and create a contest where each location is invited to create new recipes utilizing only existing ingredients. To combat supply chain issues and rising food costs, Au Bon Pain launched a “Sandwich Madness” contest, which enlisted its 3,000-plus sandwich makers, bakers and cafe employees across the nation to submit a sandwich recipe and menu description. Tapping into the talent and creativity within their cafes, contestants competed in three heated brackets, with two winners emerging in the Championship round. Today the chain announced the winners — The Ranchero Wrap and The Cleveland Fireside Egg Sandwich. Both will be featured as upcoming LTOs in late 2022. “Inflation and supply chain issues challenge all restaurants,” said Au Bon Pain Corporate Chef Anne Riley. “By tapping into our employees and their creativity with ingredients, we can offer new, craveable sandwiches without straining resources.” A panel of expert judges, including Riley, named the winning sandwiches from 45 contest entries. The Ranchero Wrap is a hot wrap featuring BBQ marinated chicken, a three-cheese blend, red bell peppers, tomatoes, red onions, arugula, ranch dressing and chipotle mayo on a whole wheat tortilla. It was co-created by Genisis Santos and Laura Lopez from Au Bon Pain’s bakery café at Bellevue Hospital, 462 First Ave. in New York City. The Cleveland Fireside Egg Sandwich is a breakfast sandwich featuring eggs, hardwood smoked bacon, swiss cheese, tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, spinach and chipotle mayo on ciabatta. Michael Thomas and Michellica Burson from Au Bon Pain’s bakery cafe at 600 Superior Avenue in Cleveland created this masterpiece. In addition to having their sandwiches featured as an upcoming LTO, each winner received a cash prize and a special trophy featuring their recipes. Genisis Santos and Michael Thomas represented their recipes at the Boston championship round. Employees from many of the brand’s 119 U.S.-based franchise- and corporate-owned locations submitted a recipe, and Riley sees team building as an added benefit of the contest. “Our teams responded with such excitement and creativity. We received so many delicious recipes,” said Riley. “Seeing both corporate-owned and franchise cafes enthusiastically collaborate made for a fun competition that will bring even more mouth-watering recipes to our guests.” Au Bon Pain (translated “from good bread”) offers gourmet convenience to travelers, students, commuters and friends. It serves quality products made from simple ingredients in locations including transportation hubs, airports, urban office buildings, universities and hospitals. See the full menu of fresh and flavorful sandwiches, breads, pastries, salads, soups and coffee or order online at aubonpain.com. Founded in Boston in 1978, Dallas-based Ampex Brands purchased the bakery cafe in 2021, catapulting the franchisee into a franchisor role and expanding its footprint internationally. Contact Details Center Reach Communication Ashley Clontz +1 210-286-0105 ashley@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://www.aubonpain.com/

April 26, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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