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Minuteman Press Franchise in Richmond, Kentucky Adapts and Grows During Pandemic as Essential Local Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley have owned their Minuteman Press printing and marketing franchise in Richmond since May 2014. While the COVID-19 pandemic was certainly the biggest challenge for people and local businesses everywhere, Pete and Chuck managed to remain open as an essential business, adapt their products and services to what local businesses needed during the pandemic, and position themselves for sales growth both during and after the pandemic as a result of their hard work. Pete says, “At the outset of the pandemic we were as alarmed as anyone else over not only what this could do to our business but our community and even the country as a whole. The prospect of slogging through months of economic slowdowns did cause us some anxiety in the beginning. However, we remained optimistic and determined to take advantage of any unique opportunities that the pandemic presented to those of us in the print world.” He continues, “It quickly became apparent that those businesses allowed to remain open would need COVID-related printing and signs in order to both safely assist customers as well as stay in compliance with state and local ordinances. We discovered that some organizations had been allotted grant money from the Federal Government to help with pandemic-related safety requirements. We honed in on those agencies to let them know we were open as essential business and local to them. They responded well to our outreach efforts and we ended up doing a considerable volume of business printing floor decals, signs, logo-imprinted face masks, and other safety-related products. Almost every business that chose to remain open had similar pandemic-related printing needs and we wanted to do everything possible, especially for our local small businesses, to provide them everything we could to help them navigate these unchartered waters.” “We primarily grew our business in 2020 through the expanded offering of signage, floor decals, posters, direct mail, and other essential printed items. We are anticipating that 2021 will see continued growth as more and more local businesses reopen and come back online.” -Pete Cummings, co-owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Richmond, Kentucky Supporting Local Businesses During and After the Pandemic Over the past year, Minuteman Press in Richmond has continued to reach out to local businesses as they reopen. Pete says, “We’ve seen a positive response from local business owners. Many of them seem as glad to see that we are still operating and succeeding as we are trying to help them achieve their own successes through these challenging times. I think in some ways we have had a galvanizing effect for local businesses as we are all in this together. It’s that ‘can-do spirit’ that can really lift others up and we are thankful to be a part of it.” As more restrictions continue to be lifted and other local businesses reopen and recover, Pete and Chuck are ready to help them with custom printing products and marketing services. Pete says, “Because we have stayed open the entire time, Minuteman Press has the experience of helping all different types of businesses at all different phases of the pandemic. We have proven to be a valuable partner and we are excited to provide our business community with as many resources as possible to enhance their marketing and sales efforts.” Pete continues, “Now that the tide is turning on the pandemic, we are encouraging clients to resume their direct marketing efforts. As conferences and events resume, we are promoting all of our capabilities including imprinted table throws, retractable banners, trade show displays, conference-related signage, and promotional products.” Direct mail was another key area of growth that Minuteman Press in Richmond experienced during the pandemic. Pete is excited about the future prospects of direct mail as well. He says, “Surviving and flourishing during the past year has required some adaptation. Last year, direct marketing became very challenging with social distancing becoming the norm. To continue growing we looked to direct mailings as an additional revenue stream. Based on the success we saw from these efforts, we have decided to fully embrace direct mail. We would certainly encourage other businesses to utilize direct mailings as a way to ‘connect’ with potential customers as they ramp up and reopen.” “ Contrary to what some would have one believe, printing is not dead. The increased demand for direct mailings can partly be explained by the ‘contact-free’ environment of the pandemic era. With that said, I believe it also underscores how printed advertising campaigns, when utilized effectively, can yield significant results for our customers. We have also diversified our offerings with signs, promotional items, and apparel. This provides our customers with the convenience of getting everything done under one roof through someone they trust will give them the level of service and quality they expect. So, the printing industry has evolved but those who evolve with the industry will see continued success.” -Pete Cummings Meet the People Behind the Business As Pete and Chuck celebrate seven years in business this month, they reflect on their journey as well as their experiences as Minuteman Press franchise owners. One interesting thing to note is that Pete and Chuck come from two very different backgrounds and did not have any printing experience until joining the Minuteman Press family. Pete explains, “I worked at a bank for roughly ten years after graduating from college and then owned/operated an outpatient pediatric rehabilitation center, offering Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy to children. We were out of our home state of Kentucky at this time and once we had children we decided to return home. The same opportunities did not exist to operate a rehab center but I had small business ownership in my blood at that point and was actively looking for a good opportunity.” He continues, “Chuck was a school teacher for ten years and he was growing restless. He began looking for a business opportunity that would allow for more financial freedom for his family. He mentioned this to his uncle, Garry Conley, who just so happened to own a Minuteman Press franchise in London, Kentucky along with Chuck’s Aunt, Amy Conley. We sat down with Garry and he did a pretty good job explaining the benefits. It was evident he was running a profitable operation so we listened intently and after meeting with our Regional Vice President Gary Nowak, we decided to take the plunge.” “We opened in 2014 with zero customers and have seen steady growth every year since. Our rate of jobs quoted to jobs earned is very strong. We built the business, especially in the early years, heavily using direct marketing along with the Minuteman Press Internet Marketing program. Sometimes asking people for the opportunity to earn their business is all it takes to open the door to that first job. And once we get that first opportunity, we will almost always turn that person into a repeat customer either in the near future or somewhere down the road. Providing a quality product along with good, friendly service goes a long way.” -Pete Cummings As Pete reflects on the past seven years and especially 2020 when the pandemic first hit, he is thankful to be part of the Minuteman Press franchise family. He says, “We are very grateful for the efforts Minuteman Press International made fairly early on in the pandemic to help keep franchisees flourishing. There’s no question that things could have turned out differently. From continued guidance on how to operate as an essential business to initiating the free Bounce Back program to support local businesses, it was all instrumental in helping us navigate this unprecedented time.” When asked about the rewards of owning a business, Pete answers, “Financial freedom and the feeling that we can control our own destinies for us are the biggest rewards to business ownership. We can’t be the victim of a company downsize or see our jobs shipped overseas. We certainly work hard to achieve success but those efforts are going towards building something that directly benefits our families.” As for what advice he would give to local businesses right now, Pete sums it up best by saying, “Don’t lose heart. I know it has been a tough year but as more and more sectors of the economy ramp things up again, economic opportunities will return.” Pete Cummings and Chuck Bentley’s Minuteman Press franchise is located at 202 Wayne Dr., Ste. A; Richmond, KY 40475. For more information, call 859-314-1172 or visit their website: https://www.richmondky.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

May 17, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Airports, Take Notice: 84% of Travelers Want Bio-Security Measures to Protect Against Current & Future Pandemics

WarpUV

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 17, 2021 –– Ever stop to think how many hands touch your luggage from the time you leave home, arrive at the airport, and then reach your travel destination? Curious to know how many virus particles fit on a single pinhead? Are you in the habit of disinfecting your luggage after a trip? According to a Post-COVID-19 Air Travel/Bio-Security survey conducted last week, all respondents said they believe their baggage has passed through a lot of hands – 10 or more. Of those, 17 percent believe more than 20 hands have handled their luggage, whether while using a ride service, the baggage handlers at the airport, or hotel personnel. It's no wonder, then, that when COVID-19 hit, consumers were reluctant to travel. More than 55 percent of the consumers who completed the survey, in fact, said they did not travel by air last year because they feared either contracting the virus or potentially spreading it to others. This, and the actions taken by the airline industry as a result of COVID-19, created a huge blow to air travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the pandemic resulted in a 66 percent drop in air travel last year. That’s more than after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003, and the global financial crisis of 2008. As people around the globe are being vaccinated against the Coronavirus and with more awareness about the devastating effects of virus spread, it’s not surprising that more than 84 percent of respondents said they agree with officials at the world’s leading agencies – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Council of European Unions – that another pandemic is inevitable, and it is critical to be prepared. As with x-ray and other measures taken at airports following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, those same respondents agree airports should take bio-security measures to minimize the health and economic impact of future virus spread. Specifically, when asked if they’d feel safer and more likely to travel by air if luggage would be completely and quickly disinfected using ultraviolet (UV) technology at the airport, 78 percent said yes. For some respondents, the COVID-19 crisis is waning because many have received vaccinations against Coronavirus. Still, only 16 percent said they felt additional bio-security measures are unnecessary. “The COVID-19 virus has inflicted devastating health and economic impact on the world, but the call for bio-security at airports is a practical solution that can lessen or even stop the rapid spread of future contagions,” said Amir Fischer, CEO of WarpUV. “Studies show the most effective way to disinfect items like checked luggage and carry-on bags – many of which are soft-sided or have many handles, zippers and uneven surfaces – is with 360-degree ultraviolet (UV) light bio cleansing. The technology exists, it’s proven fast and effective, and is ready to be implemented.” Some additional data from the WarpUV/SurveyMonkey consumer survey include: When asked whether they realized that 100 million virus particles of COVID-19 could fit on the head of a pin, 62 percent said they had not previously heard that fact. 58 percent of respondents said they have never disinfected their own luggage during or after use. Of those, 28 percent said, in light of the virus spread, they will now start doing so. During the height of the pandemic, the ability to travel by air around the world was heavily curtailed due to flight cancellations, as well as airport closures because baggage handlers or passengers had contracted COVID-19. Just last week, Changi Airport in Si ngapore closed due to a report of COVID-19 cases. Although cases of COVID-19 contracted at airports were widely reported, 55 percent of respondents queried in the survey were unaware of this fact. About WarpUV Warp Technologies and its AirFortÂ® devices are the frontline of prevention of the spread of pandemic by luggage and baggage in airports worldwide and serve as a âdisinfection firewallâ for continents, countries, and regions. The company was formed in 2020 by veteran Israeli entrepreneurs Amir Fischer, Eitan Haimovich, and Gil Luxenbourg. For more information, visit www.warpUV.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Joanne Stanway +1 978-273-1473 jstanway@rainierco.com Rainier Communications Alan Ryan +15085776635 alanryan@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.warpuv.com/

May 17, 2021 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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CMA CGM Group to set U.S. East Coast and Canada Big Ship Record with the CMA CGM MARCO POLO

CMA CGM America (LLC)

The 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO is the largest container ship to ever call North America’s east coast. This landmark record is the result of a capacity increase on CMA CGM’s Columbus JAX service. CMA CGM Group is dedicated to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet its customers’ needs. The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, announced today that it will break its own record next week for the largest vessel to ever visit the U.S. East Coast and Canada. The 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO will first set the Canadian record with a stop in Nova Scotia on Monday, May 17. The ship will then break the U.S. East Coast record when it calls New York on Thursday, May 20. An impressive vessel scheduled to set seven North American big-ship records in 11 days The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is a massive ship. With a length equivalent to more than 3.5 football fields, the containers fitting on the vessel would span nearly 61 miles if placed end-to-end. In addition to the Canada country and U.S. East Coast records, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO will set individual big-ship records at every port it visits on the North American east coast. This includes Port of Halifax (May 17), Port of New York and New Jersey (May 20), Port of Virginia (May 23), Port of Savannah (May 26) and Port of Charleston (May 28). Increased capacity to serve our U.S. customers’ needs The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is sailing on the company’s Columbus JAX service, travelling from South Asia to the East Coast of America. The debut of the vessel on the JAX reflects an increase in capacity. It signifies the Group’s commitment to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet the needs of its U.S. customer base, many of whom are experiencing unprecedented boosts in e-commerce sales and the resulting increased demand for goods. As one of the nation’s top ocean-freight carriers, CMA CGM is well-positioned to serve its customers during these unique times. CMA CGM serves 19 U.S. ports with 34 services and 93 weekly port calls. In addition, the Group’s subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world. The CMA CGM Group employs more than 12,000 team members across the U.S. and is also a leading provider of logistics services through its subsidiary CEVA Logistics. Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM America and APL North America, said, “ At CMA CGM, we are dedicated to providing solutions for our customers. The deployment of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is yet another indicator of our flexibility and commitment to delivering the essentials that keep America moving. It is also important to mention that this milestone would not be possible without the efforts of our port partners on the East Coast. Their intelligent, timely infrastructure improvements to support larger ships make it possible for us to proactively respond to the needs of our customers. ” About CMA CGM Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics. Its 566 vessels serve more than 420 ports around the world, on all five continents. In 2020, they transported nearly 21 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. With CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics services, CMA CGM handles 400,000 tons of airfreight and 2.8 million tons of inland freight every year. CMA CGM is constantly innovating to offer customers new maritime, inland and logistics solutions. Present on every continent and in 160 countries through its network of 755 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, of which 2,400 are in Marseille where its head office is located. In the United States, CMA CGM, which is based in Norfolk, Va., employs more than 12,000 people. Its subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world. For media inquiries: usa.aleonard@cma-cgm.com or media@cma-cgm.com Contact Details CMA CGM Amber Leonard +1 804-218-8933 usa.aleonard@cma-cgm.com Company Website https://www.cma-cgm.com

May 14, 2021 11:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LevLane Announces Multiple Promotions and Role Changes

LevLane

LevLane, a full-service, award-winning ad agency, now in its 37th year, has announced multiple promotions as the agency continues to see strong growth. “We are so proud of this team. Over the past year we have experienced challenges we never anticipated and despite that our team has continued to deliver,” said Josh Lev, SVP | Brand Engagement of LevLane. “As we emerge from one of the most difficult times in memory, we are excited to look to the future and the team who will help to get us there.” Web Development Megan Hegarty has been promoted to Vice President, Digital Services. Senior Living Beth Simos has been promoted to Vice President, Director of Client Engagement. Creative Taylor Irwin has been promoted to Associate Creative Director. Steven Graziano has been promoted to Senior Art Director. Joe Schoppy has been promoted to Senior Copywriter. Digital Media Ed Stec has been promoted to Vice President, Paid Search Director. Sarita Shinde has been promoted to Digital Analytics Manager. Life Sciences MaryPat Siwak has been promoted to Account Director. Gina Gattis has been promoted to Account Supervisor. Samantha Spurrier has been promoted to Account Executive. Content & Digital Strategy Gabrielle Costello has been promoted to Director of Content. Michele Burns has moved into the role of Content Project Manager. Tyler Heileman has moved into the role of Digital Content Writer. Emily Glorioso has moved into the role of Social Media Specialist. About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands that people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 13, 2021 07:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LevLane Announces Hiring of Chief Talent Officer, Adam Heagy

LevLane

LevLane announced today that it has hired Adam Heagy as its new Chief Talent Officer. Heagy is an experienced leader in HR and talent acquisition and development, and a veteran of the advertising talent world. Prior to joining LevLane, Heagy was President of Interactive Recruiting Consultants for nearly 10 years where he led all recruiting and talent efforts. “We’ve worked with Adam for years as our contract recruiter and he’s always been a true partner, providing reliable guidance and sending us fantastic talent,” said Josh Lev, SVP Brand Engagement at LevLane. “It was a natural fit to bring Adam into the LevLane family full-time to help us find the best talent for our future growth.” While at Interactive Recruiting Consultants, Heagy worked with a wide range of advertising and marketing agencies to source and recruit top talent. “LevLane has a phenomenal culture that is truly unique in the advertising world, said Heagy. “So, when the opportunity arose to join the team full-time, it was a no-brainer. I’m excited to be part of such a talented team and can’t wait to find that next generation of LevLane talent.” Heagy will be responsible for all talent acquisition and will head up the Human Resources Department, reporting to Chief Financial Officer, Nicole Landau. --- About LevLane LevLane is an award-winning, full-service, independent advertising agency in Philadelphia, PA that has been building brands people love for nearly 40 years. Contact Details LevLane Liz Weir +1 610-401-4825 lweir@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

May 12, 2021 07:56 AM 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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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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Gojek Pledges to Achieve Zero Emissions, Zero Waste & Zero Barriers by 2030 in First Annual Sustainability Report

Gojek

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Media OutReach - 30 April 2021 - As part of its sustainability mission to create positive impact and long-term value for people and the planet, Gojek, Southeast Asia's leading mobile on demand services and payments platform, today announced commitments to Three Zeros: Zero Emissions, Zero Waste and Zero Barriers, to be achieved by 2030. Gojek unveiled these pledges in its first annual Sustainability Report, which detailed its progress to date and way forward in implementing thorough environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Focusing on where the company can make the biggest impact for all of its stakeholders in line with pressing environmental and social issues, Gojek's approach will be structured around three specific areas: environmental sustainability (GoGreener) to achieve Zero Emissions and Zero Waste, as well as socio-economic progress (GoForward) and equality and inclusion (GoTogether) to achieve Zero Barriers. Gojek's ESG report is the first to be compiled by a Southeast Asian Internet company in alignment with international standards. [1] Select disclosures relating to the relevant material issues have been assured by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Indonesia [2]. Gojek is leading the region's tech industry in integrating ESG best practices across its business and voluntarily disclosing its performance on material ESG issues. Kevin Aluwi, Co-CEO, Gojek, said, "We have always been a company that is focused on finding the intersection of what is good for society and company growth. It is part of our DNA and the reason people come to work at Gojek. As we've grown, it has become more important to develop a way to make sure we hold ourselves to account and are constantly pushing forward and leading the industry on issues that are so important to us and society as a whole. That's why we are scaling our efforts to embed environmental and social considerations into the very heart of our organization. In doing so, we hope to create lasting, impactful change for our communities, partners and the world we live in, ensuring we can live up to our mission for the long term." Andre Soelistyo, Co-CEO, Gojek, added, "There is a pressing need for the private sector to take action and help address the most critical environmental and social issues that plague our planet and communities today. As Gojek continues to grow in size and strength, with millions relying on our platform daily, we have a responsibility to do so sustainably. Through the integration of industry-leading ESG practices, we are ensuring we do business better across our entire ecosystem, while paving the way for other companies in the region to do the same. These are issues that are of increasing importance to stakeholders everywhere and we are determined to exceed their expectations for the good of Indonesia, Southeast Asia and the rest of the world." Gojek is already making significant strides towards its targets, which will be reviewed and disclosed annually: The report embodies Gojek's commitment to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To ensure greater accountability, the company is also forming a Sustainability Advisory Council, comprising impartial external experts from various organizations including UN Women, ASEAN Centre of Energy, University of Indonesia and more. "With less than 10 years to achieve the SDGs, we have to act now. By using the best available science, aligning with global standards and accreditations and applying a data-driven approach to our methodology, we are ensuring our strategy is as robust, relevant and impactful as possible. We also know we cannot achieve this alone and will leverage our network of like-minded partners to accelerate our progress through innovative and transformative expertise and capabilities," said Tanah Sullivan, Group Head of Sustainability, Gojek. Dr. Allinnettes Adigue, Head of the ASEAN Regional Hub of GRI, said: "Corporate sustainability is good for the people, planet and long-term profitability of a company because in the end, no one can do business in a dead planet. It is no longer a question of whether companies should report on their sustainability impact. Sustainability reporting is here to stay. It is now a question of whether what companies report are accurate and relevant, and clearly communicates their impact on the economy, environment and society. These issues matter to a wide range of stakeholders, not just the narrow interests of a few. "GRI Standards, as the most widely used reporting standards in the world, is not just a reporting blueprint but more importantly, it provides organisations a global common language to set their sustainability goals and regularly measure, analyse and report on their progress. In turn, this allows them to continuously improve their sustainability performance. The GRI Standards encourages companies to focus on material topics that reflect their most significant sustainability impact through the use of quantitative data, narrative assessments and indicator-based systems." Protecting livelihoods and sustaining the community amid COVID-19 Gojek also helped to minimise the impact of COVID-19 across its ecosystem, ensuring the health and safety of stakeholders, developing new products and services to meet changing needs and creating alternative income opportunities for merchants and driver partners. In 2020, Gojek founded the Anak Bangsa Bisa Foundation (YABB) to support its partners and the wider community affected by the pandemic, raising IDR 100 billion from senior leadership and GoTroops and IDR 20 billion from corporate donations and other donation programs [6]. Gojek also protected consumers and the wider community, leveraging the scale of its network to keep consumers up to date on health and safety guidelines as well as launching several app features and initiatives to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support frontline workers. The full Sustainability Report can be found here. [1] Gojek's first Sustainability Report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). [2] KAP Tanudiredja, Wibisana, Rintis & Rekan, the Indonesian member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers' global network, has undertaken a limited assurance engagement on the selected disclosure according to the relevant GRI standards in response to Gojek's material ESG issues. [3] The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol defines Scope 1 emissions as all direct GHG emissions, Scope 2 emissions as indirect GHG emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam and Scope 3 emissions as all other indirect emissions that are not covered in Scope 2. [4] The collaboration with PromoGo enables two-wheel driver partners to earn additional income by carrying advertisements on their vehicles while GoCek is an in-app feature that enables Gojek driver partners to work on additional tasks (such as validating the onboarding of new GoFood merchants) in their spare time to earn more income. [5] Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that provide a safe, supportive space for individuals with shared experiences. [6] Equivalent to approximately US$6.9 million from senior leadership and GoTroops and US$1.4 million from corporate donations and other donation programs, at time of reporting. About Gojek’s Sustainability Report This is Gojek's first annual Sustainability Report, to disclose its performance on material ESG topics to all stakeholders. Following this year, the report will be published on an annual basis as part of the company's ongoing voluntary disclosure of ESG performance and related metrics.This report has been externally assured by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards as it represents the global best practice for sustainability reporting. Gojek has also applied two sector-specific reporting standards by SASB, 1. Internet Media and Services and 2. Road Transportation, to guide its disclosures on the financial materiality of sector-specific ESG issues.More information about the different disclosures presented in the report and how they align to GRI and SASB standards can be found in pages 42 and 46 of the Sustainability Report. About Gojek Gojek is Southeast Asia's leading on-demand platform and a pioneer of the multi-service ecosystem model, providing access to a wide range of services including transportation, food delivery, logistics and more. Gojek is founded on the principle of leveraging technology to remove life's daily frictions by connecting consumers to the best providers of goods and services in the market.The company was established in 2010 focusing on courier and motorcycle ride-hailing services, before launching the app in January 2015 in Indonesia. Since then, Gojek has grown to become the leading on-demand platform in Southeast Asia, providing access to a wide range of services from transportation, to food delivery, logistics and many others.Gojek now operates across main cities in four Southeast Asian countries. As of March 2021, Gojek's application and its ecosystem have been downloaded more than 190 million times by users across Southeast Asia.Gojek is dedicated to solving the daily challenges faced by consumers, while improving the quality of life for millions of people across Southeast Asia, especially those in the informal sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).The Gojek application is available for download via iOS and Android.#Gojek Contact Details Reisha Nagrani Gojek reisha.nagrani@gojek.com

April 30, 2021 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sixty-Nine BIPOC-Owned Small Businesses In Washington To Receive Free Computer Equipment and Internet Services or Advertising from Comcast RISE

Comcast Washington

Comcast today announced it will award technology, and, or marketing resources to 69 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses statewide as a part of the company’s latest round of grants from its Comcast RISE program. These recipients are part of roughly 2,500 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as awardees since the program’s inception in November, including approximately 100 in Washington state. According to a National Bureau of Economic Research study, the number of Black business owners plummeted last year from 1.1 million to 640,000 in four months — a 41% loss. Other communities of color also experienced deep losses, including immigrant (a 36 percent drop), Latinx (32 percent), and Asian (26 percent) business owners. Comcast RISE was formed in 2020 to give BIPOC-owned small businesses the tools needed to not just survive, but thrive. The program provides grants to Black and BIPOC-owned small businesses nationwide, which includes Hispanic and Asian American-owned businesses, among others. Comcast also announced a goal to support 13,000 small businesses by 2022 through the program with a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice or cybersecurity from Comcast Business; or a monetary grant. “Our small businesses are incredibly resilient, and have adapted to constant change over the past year. Seattle is a technology hub, however, we quickly realized that some small businesses—many of which are owned by Black, Indigenous and other people of color—did not have the same level of technological infrastructure that other businesses had when it was time to quickly pivot to an online based business model” said Pamela Banks, Interim Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development, and Director of Recovery and Equitable Investments. “Comcast has been a critical partner for OED, as we have worked together to respond to the digital divide that is impacting our small businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, and refugees. These grants will be a game changer, as we move forward in a world so heavily reliant on technology and marketing capabilities.” Through Comcast RISE, the company creates sustainable impact and meaningful support for communities that have been hit hardest by the global pandemic and the BIPOC-owned small businesses that shape them. More BIPOC-owned small businesses throughout Washington are encourage d to apply now and take advantage of this opportunity Eligible businesses can apply directly online at www.comcastrise.com/apply/. Eligible businesses can apply for the following: Marketing Services: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign. Consulting: Advertising and marketing consultations with local Effectv marketing, research and creative teams to gain insights on how to drive business. Technology Makeovers: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.) Monetary Grants: The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide $5 million in grants to 500 BIPOC-owned small businesses in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit. Comcast plans to expand that monetary support to other cities across the country over the next year. “Congratulations to all of the grant recipients across our state today. Comcast Business is dedicated to lifting up businesses and providing a human touch that offers them the support they need, and we are truly proud to be able to support these owners through Comcast RISE,” said Robert Brenner, VP of Comcast Business in Washington. “We have now been able to offer 100 grants to businesses across our state since we launched this program in November, and we’ve seen firsthand how marketing and technology resources can have a true impact on owners and help them bounce forward into 2021.” Quotes from Comcast RISE Winners Across the Puget Sound Region “It was a pleasant surprise to be chosen as one of the first Comcast RISE winners in Washington! Comcast gave Your Money Matters Mentoring technology and equipment that will be a tremendous help for our organization. Being a nonprofit mentorship program for youth this support helped us tremendously as we have had to go digital to continue to provide our financial training programs. The work we do in the community is about empowering youth, particularly young people from communities of color, by helping them understand how to set themselves up for a better financial future. Change can’t come for our underserved youth and for minority-owned businesses without people and organizations in our community coming together to support one another. It is great to see a big public company like Comcast helping in this effort, and we are grateful for their support.” – Clinton Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Your Money Matter Mentoring in Auburn “When COVID-19 hit, I found myself starting over. I made the tough decision to close a consulting business I had led for 20 years. But challenges like this bring new beginnings, and I set out to create a new business over the last year that combines my Latinx roots and my passion for creating something that our community loves. I'm honored to share Komadre Kombucha with friends and neighbors in Tacoma. It has been a fantastic journey, and community partnerships and support from organizations like Comcast have helped turn this dream into a reality. We are excited to open our doors this year, and I know that the technology resources from Comcast will help us serve the community con sabor (with flavor).” – Julie Davidson, Owner-Operator of Komadre Kombucha in Tacoma “As a Black-owned business, we are honored to be selected by Comcast to receive this award. We plan to use this award to continue providing world-class service at our client-focused firm.” –KD Hall, the CEO and Principal Consultant at KD Hall Communications in Federal Way. “COVID continues to make it difficult for our staff to meet with each other and clients in-person, so technology is essential to help us get work our done and keep everyone collaborating from afar. “We greatly value our clients and the technology makeover from the Comcast Rise program will help us be able to communicate with them and each other better than ever. And that’s good for business.” – Janelle Bailey, owner of Washington Injury Law in Seattle. "Blessings is so grateful to be a recipient of the Comcast Business Grant! This grant provided exactly what Blessings needed and just in the nick of time!" – Delphia Brewton, Blessings From My Heart to your Table in Tukwila Comcast RISE also invests in ongoing mentorship and resources to help businesses succeed over the long-term. The program has partnered with Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to provide grant recipients with business coaching to help build skills in company foundation, growing customers and financial stability. All Comcast RISE recipients will also have a specialized online networking community within Ureeka with access to educational resources, sources of capital, and vetted experts such as U.S. Black Chambers, National Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Walker’s Legacy and Operation Hope. A key part of Comcast RISE is ensuring business sustainability. As such, Comcast has already invested more than $2 million in more than 20 community-based organizations and diverse chambers of commerce to provide additional support to BIPOC-owned small businesses. About Comcast Business About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 30 million households with video service. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com Comcast Andy Colley +14252485438 Andy_Colley@Comcast.com

April 27, 2021 06:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time